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Tel Aviv football derby called off after ‘violent riots’ among fans

Authorities said smoked grenades were thrown by supporters as fighting broke out, though Hapoel Tel Aviv accused police of ‘brutal’ treatment

October 20, 2025 14:02
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Police stand guard after the Israeli Premier League match between Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Tel Aviv was cancelled at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv, on October 19, 2025 (Image: Flash90)
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A derby match between Tel Aviv’s two largest football clubs was called off last night after “violent riots” broke out among supporters, according to local police.

Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Tel Aviv were due to clash in the Israeli Premier League, but fans flooding into Bloomfield Stadium, which both teams call home, were met with smoke grenades and batons.

Nine people were arrested in what police called “disturbances and violent riots”, with 16 people –including three police officers – injured by pyrotechnics.

"These are very serious incidents that posed a real danger to the lives of police officers and civilians,” a spokesperson added.

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