The Israeli Premier League derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was controversially cancelled just before kick-off on Sunday. Police cited “public disorder and violent riots” as the reason, noting that dozens of smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices were deployed. Authorities condemned the actions as “disorder and serious violence,” reporting that twelve civilians and three police officers sustained injuries, with nine arrests made and sixteen individuals detained for questioning.
This cancellation comes days after UK officials proposed banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending their Europa League match against Aston Villa in England next month, citing safety concerns. This move has drawn sharp criticism.
Hapoel Tel Aviv expressed their disappointment with the cancellation, accusing the Israeli police of preparing for a conflict rather than a sporting event. The club stated on X, “The shocking events outside the stadium and following the reckless and scandalous decision not to hold the match only demonstrate that the Israel Police has taken control of the sport.” Maccabi Tel Aviv has not yet issued a comment beyond confirming the match’s cancellation.
The UK government is reportedly working to overturn the fan ban for the Aston Villa match, exploring additional resources to ensure the game can proceed safely. Aston Villa had previously informed their matchday stewards that they were not obligated to work the fixture, acknowledging potential concerns among staff.
West Midlands Police had previously supported the ban, labeling the match as “high risk” due to intelligence and past incidents. These include violent clashes and hate crimes involving Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam in November 2024, which led to over 60 arrests.
The decision to cancel the derby and the broader context of protests at sporting events related to the conflict in Gaza, including recent international football qualifiers, highlight the tense atmosphere surrounding these matches.