Tel-Aviv Derby Postponed After Major Disturbances

• Published
  22:27 BST on October 19, 2025

The domestic football league derby involving Maccabi Tel Aviv and their city rivals was cancelled before commencement on the weekend, due to what authorities labeled as "civil unrest and serious disturbances".

"Dozens of smoke devices and pyrotechnic devices were thrown," Israeli police announced on social media, adding "this is not a match, it constitutes disorder and major hostilities".

Twelve people and multiple officers were harmed, police said, while nine people were taken into custody and numerous others held for interrogation.

The unrest come just a brief period after representatives in the United Kingdom stated that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should not be allowed to be present at the European competition game at the English club in England next month because of safety concerns.

Hapoel Tel Aviv censured the derby cancellation, claiming Israeli police of "gearing up for a battle, rather than a football match", including during talks in the build-up to the eagerly-awaited fixture.

"The shocking situations near the stadium and due to the irresponsible and outrageous decision to abandon the game only demonstrate that the law enforcement has taken control of the game," the club stated officially.

Maccabi Tel Aviv has declined to speak, merely stating the match was cancelled.

The judgment by security authorities to ban club followers from the English fixture on November 6 has provoked broad condemnation.

The government officials has subsequently stated it is working to overturn the ban and considering what further support might be necessary to ensure the game can be conducted securely.

Aston Villa notified their matchday stewards that they could choose not to participate at the game, saying they acknowledged that some "could be worried".

On Thursday, West Midlands Police confirmed it backed the prohibition and categorized the fixture as "concerning" due to information and past events.

That involved "violent clashes and hate-crime offences" involving the Dutch team and their supporters ahead of a game in Amsterdam in November 2024, when more than 60 people were arrested.

There have been rallies at various games regarding the situation in Gaza, including when the national team competed against Norway and the European team in current qualification games.

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