Tel Aviv Football Derby Canceled Amid Violent Riots

Mon Oct 20 2025 16:29:55 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The fierce derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was abruptly canceled after violent disturbances erupted, drawing criticism and raising safety concerns ahead of their matches.

The highly anticipated Israeli Premier League derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv faced cancellation due to severe violence and public disorder outside Bloomfield Stadium on October 19, 2025. Israeli police cited smoke grenades and pyrotechnics as significant threats to safety, leading to injuries among both civilians and officers. Hapoel Tel Aviv condemned the police's handling of the situation, claiming it escalated tensions instead of securing a safe sporting event. This incident adds to ongoing discussions about fan safety in light of recent controversies, especially regarding Maccabi's upcoming match in the UK.

The Israeli Premier League derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled before kick-off on Sunday, after what police described as public disorder and violent riots.

Dozens of smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices were thrown, Israeli police reported, emphasizing that this is not a football game, this is disorder and serious violence. Twelve civilians and three officers suffered injuries, with nine arrests made and 16 individuals detained for questioning.

The unrest follows safety concerns leading UK officials to recommend banning Maccabi fans from an upcoming Europa League match against Aston Villa. Hapoel Tel Aviv criticized the decision to cancel the derby, accusing the police of treating a sporting event more like a battlefield.

Concerns were echoed by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group, which labeled the fixture as high risk, referencing previous violent incidents linked to Maccabi fans. The UK government is now exploring ways to ensure the match in England can be held safely without barring fans.

Violent protests relating to the ongoing Gaza conflict have occurred at various sporting events, including recent football matches, further complicating the situation for sporting authority figures.