🔗 Share this article Tel-Aviv Local Rivalry Cancelled Due to Major Disturbances The sports venue in the city was engulfed by smoke prior to the anticipated start Issued October 19, 2025 at 10:27 PM BST Modified moments ago The domestic football league local clash featuring one local team and their city rivals was cancelled ahead of commencement on Sunday, following what law enforcement characterized as "crowd trouble and violent riots". "Numerous of smoke bombs and pyrotechnic devices were set off," law enforcement stated on digital channels, adding "this is not a football game, this is chaos and significant aggression". Twelve civilians and three police personnel were injured, authorities reported, while several individuals were arrested and sixteen questioned by police. The disturbances occur just days after representatives in the United Kingdom stated that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans cannot be permitted to be present at the Europa League game at Aston Villa in the UK the following month because of safety concerns. One team censured the match postponement, alleging law enforcement of "gearing up for a conflict, not a football match", including during meetings in the build-up to the highly-anticipated encounter. "The alarming situations outside the stadium and after the ill-considered and unacceptable decision to abandon the game only prove that the Israel Police has seized authority in the game," Hapoel Tel Aviv said in a statement. The other team has not yet commented, merely stating the fixture was abandoned. The decision by the local safety committee to exclude Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Aston Villa match on the sixth of November has sparked widespread criticism. The government officials has subsequently stated it is seeking to cancel the restriction and exploring what further support might be required to make certain the fixture can be hosted safely. Villa informed their security personnel that they did not have to work at the fixture, saying they understood that some "may have concerns". On earlier in the week, law enforcement confirmed it supported the restriction and categorized the fixture as "potentially dangerous" based on reports and previous incidents. That included "serious fights and hate-crime offences" involving the Dutch team and followers prior to a game in the Netherlands in late 2024, when over sixty individuals were arrested. There have been protests at multiple athletic competitions concerning the situation in Gaza, for instance when the national team played the Scandinavian team and the European team in latest international matches. Associated subjects The sport Further coverage Track your team with sports coverage Published recently Hear the most recent match analysis Get football news transmitted immediately to your mobile device Issued 16 August