Tel Aviv derby called off after chaos at Bloomfield
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The decision to suspend the Tel Aviv derby came after extensive use of pyrotechnics by fans led to injuries among both supporters and police officers.
The long-awaited Tel Aviv soccer derby was supposed to be played on Sunday night at Bloomfield Stadium, but instead, it was postponed following a series of disturbances that broke out before kickoff.
The highly anticipated matchup between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was canceled after police determined that conditions at the stadium were unsafe to continue.
The decision came after extensive use of pyrotechnics by fans, including fireworks and smoke grenades, which led to injuries among both supporters and police officers. According to Israeli Police, three officers and five fans were hurt during the incidents.
“This was not a football game, but a case of serious disorder and violence,” the police said in an official statement. “As a result, Israel Police has informed the clubs and match officials that the game cannot take place.”
The Israel Professional Football Leagues Association later confirmed that, based on police instructions, the match would not be held. The announcement was made about 20 minutes after the scheduled 8:30 p.m. start time, as the stadium remained covered in smoke.
Tel Aviv soccer fans create chaos at Bloomfield Stadium
Even before the planned kickoff, tension was visible around the venue. Police said that several fans were involved in throwing bottles and stones outside the stadium, leading to five arrests and several temporary detentions for illegal assembly.
Inside Bloomfield, more than 25,000 spectators had filled the seats, creating an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation for a derby that hadn’t been played in over a year. However, after discussions among police and stadium officials, Tel Aviv District Commander Haim Sargrof decided to halt the event due to safety concerns.
A disappointing end to the evening
The announcement that the match would not take place was made over the public address system, asking fans to exit the stadium calmly. At first, many appeared reluctant to leave, but eventually, the stands emptied out quietly.
It was a disappointing end to an evening that had been months in the making.
Both clubs and league officials are now expected to coordinate with the police to determine when, and under what conditions, the Tel Aviv derby can safely be rescheduled.
