Tel-Aviv Derby Cancelled After Violent Riots

• Published
  22:27 BST on October 19, 2025

The domestic football league rivalry match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was abandoned ahead of commencement on Sunday, after what law enforcement described as "civil unrest and violent riots".

"Numerous of smoke devices and fireworks were set off," law enforcement announced on social media, noting "this isn't a sporting event, this is chaos and serious violence".

Twelve people and several officers were hurt, authorities reported, while multiple persons were detained and 16 questioned by police.

The disturbances happen just days after representatives in the United Kingdom announced that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans cannot be permitted to be present at the Europa League game at Aston Villa in Britain next month because of safety concerns.

One team censured the match postponement, accusing Israeli police of "preparing for a battle, rather than a sporting event", even during talks in the preparation to the highly-anticipated match.

"The alarming incidents near the venue and after the irresponsible and unacceptable decision not to hold the fixture only demonstrate that the authorities has assumed command over the game," the team said in a statement.

Maccabi Tel Aviv has not yet commented, merely stating the match was cancelled.

The judgment by the local safety committee to exclude Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Birmingham game on November 6 has provoked extensive disapproval.

The British authorities has since said it is working to overturn the restriction and exploring what additional resources might be needed to make certain the match can be hosted safely.

Villa notified their matchday stewards that they could choose not to participate at the game, saying they recognized that some "may have concerns".

On the previous day, law enforcement said it supported the prohibition and designated the match as "high risk" based on intelligence and past events.

That involved "serious fights and hate-crime offences" among the Dutch team and followers before a game in the Netherlands in late 2024, when over sixty individuals were arrested.

There have been rallies at several sporting events concerning the situation in Gaza, such as when the national team competed against Norway and Italy in current international matches.

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