🔗 Share this article Tel Aviv Local Rivalry Called Off Due to Major Disturbances The sports venue in Tel Aviv was covered in haze before the anticipated beginning Issued 19 October 2025, 22:27 BST Revised nine minutes prior The Israeli Premier League local clash between one local team and their city rivals was cancelled before kick-off on the weekend, due to what authorities labeled as "crowd trouble and violent riots". "Dozens of smoke bombs and pyrotechnic devices were launched," law enforcement announced on online platforms, emphasizing "this cannot be considered a match, it constitutes unrest and major hostilities". A dozen individuals and several law enforcement members were hurt, officials confirmed, while multiple persons were arrested and numerous others detained for questioning. The disturbances happen just a short time after representatives in the Britain stated that supporters of the team ought to be banned to go to the international tournament match at the English club in the UK next month because of public safety worries. The local club criticised the game abandonment, claiming law enforcement of "preparing for a war, not a game", particularly during talks in the build-up to the much-expected encounter. "The disturbing events around the venue and after the ill-considered and unacceptable judgment to cancel the game only demonstrate that the Israel Police has taken control of the football," Hapoel Tel Aviv announced publicly. The other team has declined to speak, only acknowledging the fixture was abandoned. The ruling by the local safety committee to ban the team's supporters from the Aston Villa match on 6 November has provoked broad condemnation. The UK government has since said it is attempting to reverse the prohibition and investigating what extra measures might be needed to make certain the game can be conducted securely. The English club told their security personnel that they could choose not to participate at the game, stating they recognized that some "could be worried". On earlier in the week, local authorities confirmed it backed the restriction and designated the match as "high risk" based on reports and previous incidents. That included "serious fights and discrimination incidents" between Ajax and followers ahead of a fixture in the Netherlands in the previous year, when over sixty individuals were taken into custody. There have been protests at multiple sporting events regarding the war in Gaza, such as when Israel played the Scandinavian team and the European team in recent international matches. Connected themes Football Additional reports Follow your club with match updates Released recently Tune into current match analysis Obtain match information delivered directly to your phone Released 16 August