Anger after Israeli police cancel Tel Aviv derby

There was anger in Israel on Monday after police banned the Tel Aviv derby in the Israeli Premier League amid chaotic scenes, prompting complaints from the clubs and the political opposition.

The crowd problems at Sunday’s canceled match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv come amid tensions over a ban preventing Israeli fans from attending the upcoming Europa League away match against English side Aston Villa.

The match in Tel Aviv was canceled after what a police spokesman described as «disorderly conduct, rioting, throwing objects, smoke grenades, fireworks, injured officers and damage to stadium infrastructure.»

In conversation with the public broadcaster CANhe said: “This is not a football match: this is serious disorder and violence.”

Following the police order, Bloomfield Stadium, home to both teams, was evacuated, with mounted police stepping in to control the 30,000 fans.

Hapoel’s management was furious about the decision and the police’s tactics.

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“From the preliminary discussions before the match, it appeared that the police were preparing for a war rather than a sporting event,” the club said in a statement on social media.

“Everyone saw the harsh videos, children trampled by horses, police officers beating fans indiscriminately,” said the report, which accused police of taking over the sport and demanded football authorities regain control.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid also used the incident to attack Israel’s far-right Interior Minister.

“To the endless list of failures of the incompetent Minister Itamar Ben Gvir was added tonight the inability to facilitate a football match in the State of Israel,” Lapid wrote on social media.

Ben Gvir responded in a statement from his office, justifying the repression.

“The decision was made by the district commander, and I support him, believing that the police acted correctly,” Ben Gvir said.

«Dozens of flares were thrown and both officers and civilians were injured. It was a real battlefield and the response was justified.»

Maccabi Tel Aviv was less outspoken than its rival club. There are already disagreements over the upcoming match in Birmingham, where a local security committee has tried to ban Israeli away fans from Aston Villa’s stadium.

The British government is seeking to overturn the ban, which has been criticized by Israeli ministers, UEFA’s football governing body and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who said: «We will not tolerate anti-Semitism on our streets.»

Published on October 20, 2025