Tel Aviv Derby Called Off After Violent Riots

• Issued
  22:27 BST on October 19, 2025

The Israeli Premier League derby involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled prior to commencement on Sunday, following what police labeled as "crowd trouble and serious disturbances".

"Dozens of smoke bombs and flares were thrown," authorities announced on online platforms, emphasizing "this is not a match, this is unrest and major hostilities".

A dozen individuals and three law enforcement members were hurt, officials confirmed, while several individuals were taken into custody and numerous others held for interrogation.

The unrest come just a brief period after authorities in the Britain stated that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ought to be banned to be present at the international tournament match at Aston Villa in the UK next month because of safety concerns.

Hapoel Tel Aviv censured the game abandonment, claiming law enforcement of "gearing up for a battle, not a game", particularly during talks in the lead-up to the highly-anticipated fixture.

"The alarming events outside the venue and due to the reckless and unacceptable decision not to hold the game only prove that the Israel Police has taken control of the game," Hapoel Tel Aviv said in a statement.

Maccabi Tel Aviv has declined to speak, only acknowledging the fixture was abandoned.

The decision by security authorities to prohibit Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Birmingham game on November 6 has provoked widespread criticism.

The UK government has later announced it is seeking to cancel the prohibition and considering what additional resources might be needed to make certain the fixture can be hosted safely.

Villa informed their security personnel that they could choose not to participate at the game, saying they recognized that some "may have concerns".

On earlier in the week, law enforcement stated it endorsed the prohibition and categorized the match as "concerning" due to intelligence and past events.

That involved "violent clashes and discrimination incidents" among Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of a fixture in the Dutch capital in the previous year, when more than 60 people were arrested.

There have been protests at multiple sporting events regarding the situation in Gaza, such as when the national team faced the Scandinavian team and Italy in current international matches.

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