October 20 – The Tel Aviv derby between local rivals Hapoel and Maccabi was called off on Sunday after violent clashes between supporters. It follows the ban of Maccabi fans from November’s Europa League fixture against Aston Villa in Birmingham.
Local police posted on X that five fans had been arrested near Bloomfield Stadium on suspicion of disturbing the peace and rioting. Bottles were thrown and police officers reportedly assaulted.
The police described scenes of “public disorder and violent riots” before the game. “Dozens of smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices were thrown, 12 civilians and three police officers were injured,” read a statement. “The forces at the scene arrested nine suspects and additionally detained 16 suspects for questioning.”
“Disorderly conduct, riots, object throwing, smoke grenades, fireworks, injured police officers and damage to stadium infrastructure – this is not a football match, this is a serious public disturbance and violence.”
The match was called off on police orders.
Hapoel Tel Aviv CEO Guy Primor spoke about the decision to not play the match, saying: “The Israel Police made a unilateral decision to cancel the match. There was an amazing atmosphere – great visuals, families, 30,000 people. This isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last, that there are flares and smoke grenades at a football match. I just don’t understand how we got from that to canceling the match. It’s incomprehensible to me. Sports should be a top value. It just breaks my heart that so many people are going home for nothing, based on a unilateral decision. No one explained why, no one said anything, they just cancelled the match before the players even came out.”
The club also issued an official statement: “From the preliminary discussions ahead of the match, it seemed the police were preparing for war, not a sporting event. The shocking events outside the stadium and the hasty and outrageous decision not to hold the match, only demonstrate that the Israel Police have taken over the sport.”
“When we asked for real-time explanations, we were met with degrading and humiliating treatment, with no dialogue – the same treatment faced by representatives of the Football Association and the league administration, who also tried to overturn the absurd decision. When the district commander, Haim Sargrof, was asked to speak with League Chairman Erez Halfon and Football Association Chairman Shino Zuaretz, he refused and said his decision was final. He spoke of numerous injuries from pyrotechnics, but in reality, most of the injuries from the incident were actually caused by brutal police violence at the end of the match – a direct result of the outrageous decision to cancel the event.”
The postponement on Sunday follows Birmingham police’s request to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Europa League match against Aston Villa next month. Local authorities categorised the match as high risk. West Midlands Police said the decision was “based on current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offences that occurred during the 2024 UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam”.
That prompted backlash from British PM Keir Starmer. “This is the wrong decision,” Starmer said on social media. “We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets. The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation.”
Starmer and his government entered talk to resolve the ban, but the UK Football Policing Unit issued a severe statement, criticising the intervention by Starmer’s government. The unit also pointed out that they had briefed the home office earlier about the ‘potential issues’.
“The Safety Advisory Group is made up of independent bodies who make recommendations to the licensing authorities and the priority is always the safety of those attending matches and the wider public. This process was supported by the Sports Ground Safety Authority. It is important that we respect and support the structures in place for making these decisions. If there are any adverse incidents, then they are the ones that will be held responsible.
“The UKFPU, in the wake of the Casey Review following the serious disorder at Wembley in 2021, has suggested that if the government want a role in regulating football events that could be termed ‘events of national significance’, then they need to bring forward legislation to formalise this to ensure accountability sits with decision-makers.”
Last year, the Ajax – Maccabi Tel Aviv fixture in the Champions League proved to be a major flashpoint, with riots and violence marring the match. There were anti-semitic attacks in Amsterdam as well as anti-Arab chants. Maccabi Tel Aviv fans carry a notorious reputation.
A detailed report by Dutch authorities described “a toxic cocktail” of hooliganism, anti-semitism and anger over the war in Gaza.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1760968272labto1760968272ofdlr1760968272owedi1760968272sni@i1760968272tnuk.1760968272ardni1760968272mas1760968272
Source link
Add Comment