Tel Aviv Local Rivalry Cancelled Following Major Disturbances

• Issued
  October 19, 2025 at 10:27 PM BST

The Israeli Premier League rivalry match involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was called off prior to commencement on Sunday, due to what law enforcement described as "civil unrest and major clashes".

"Dozens of smoke devices and flares were launched," law enforcement posted on social media, emphasizing "this cannot be considered a sporting event, it represents chaos and significant aggression".

A dozen people and multiple police personnel were harmed, police said, while several individuals were arrested and numerous others questioned by police.

The disturbances occur just days after officials in the United Kingdom announced that supporters of the team cannot be permitted to be present at the Europa League match at the English club in the UK the following month because of safety concerns.

Hapoel Tel Aviv condemned the game abandonment, accusing authorities of "gearing up for a battle, instead of a sporting event", particularly during discussions in the lead-up to the highly-anticipated encounter.

"The shocking incidents outside the stadium and after the reckless and unacceptable ruling to abandon the match only prove that the law enforcement has taken control of the sport," Hapoel Tel Aviv stated officially.

Maccabi Tel Aviv has remained silent, merely stating the game was called off.

The ruling by the local safety committee to prohibit the team's supporters from the English fixture on 6 November has provoked widespread criticism.

The UK government has later announced it is attempting to reverse the restriction and considering what extra measures might be necessary to ensure the fixture can be hosted safely.

Villa notified their stadium staff that they could choose not to participate at the match, saying they recognized that some "could be worried".

On earlier in the week, law enforcement said it backed the restriction and classified the fixture as "high risk" based on information and past events.

That involved "physical confrontations and discrimination incidents" involving Ajax and followers prior to a match in Amsterdam in late 2024, when more than 60 people were detained.

There have been protests at various games concerning the situation in Gaza, including when Israel competed against the Scandinavian team and the European team in latest football World Cup qualifiers.

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