Sunday night’s highly anticipated Tel Aviv soccer derby between Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Tel Aviv at Bloomfield Stadium was cut short in dramatic and troubling fashion, as clashes between rival fans and police forced authorities to abandon the match before kickoff. What should have been a celebration of Israeli football quickly spiraled into chaos, with flares, smoke grenades, and fireworks filling the air and sending thousands of supporters scrambling for safety.
According to the Israel Police, the atmosphere at Bloomfield Stadium deteriorated rapidly when a group of fans "arrived with the aim of disrupting order" and ignited dozens of flares and smoke bombs. Pink and grey smoke billowed across the pitch, and video footage captured a smoking object landing in the stands, causing panic as the crowd sought cover. The stadium, home to both Tel Aviv clubs, was packed with approximately 30,000 fans, many of whom were caught off guard by the sudden eruption of violence.
Police officials described the situation as "severe disorder and violence," with the chaos escalating both inside and outside the stadium. In the aftermath, Israeli authorities reported that 42 people were injured, including five police officers. Emergency services treated the wounded as law enforcement moved in to restore order. Dozens of people were arrested; 11 were brought before a court, while the remaining detainees were released under restrictive conditions. The stadium was evacuated, with police on horseback intervening to control the crowds and prevent further escalation.
The decision to call off the match was made out of concern for public safety, with police emphasizing that "the endangerment of human life" left them no choice but to suspend play. "This is not a soccer game: this is severe disorder and violence," a police spokesman told public broadcaster KAN. The Israeli Football Association has yet to announce when, or if, the abandoned derby will be replayed.
As the dust settled, the blame game began. Maccabi Tel Aviv issued a statement asserting that the cancellation was "the result of the flares thrown by opposing fans," distancing their own supporters from responsibility. By contrast, Hapoel Tel Aviv’s management was furious, blasting police tactics as excessive and accusing authorities of preparing "for a war rather than a sports event." In a statement published on social media, Hapoel alleged, "Everyone saw the harsh videos, children trampled by horses, police officers beating fans indiscriminately," and demanded that football authorities regain control from law enforcement.
Political figures quickly weighed in on the controversy. Opposition leader Yair Lapid seized on the incident to criticize Israel’s far-right interior minister, Itamar Ben Gvir. "To the endless list of failures of the incompetent minister Itamar Ben Gvir, tonight was added the inability to facilitate a soccer game in the State of Israel," Lapid wrote on social media. Ben Gvir, for his part, stood by the police response, stating, "The decision was made by the district commander, and I support him, believing that the police acted correctly. Dozens of flares were thrown and both officers and civilians were injured. It was a real battlefield, and the response was justified."
The derby’s violent turn comes amid mounting concerns over fan behavior in Israeli football and intensifying scrutiny of security at major sporting events. Just days before Sunday’s match, British authorities barred Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from traveling to Birmingham, England, for a Europa League tie against Aston Villa, citing security concerns. The decision, made by local safety officials and endorsed by West Midlands Police, was met with widespread condemnation from Israeli ministers, UEFA, and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Starmer declared, "We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets," and insisted, "the role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation."
In response to the Tel Aviv violence, a spokesperson for Downing Street reiterated Starmer’s commitment to protecting Jewish communities and acknowledged the "concerns raised by police due to previous incidents in Europe," while also condemning "any violent behaviour." British officials are now liaising with their Israeli counterparts to better understand the events at Bloomfield Stadium.
These recent scenes are not isolated. Earlier this year, a league match between Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv was abandoned at halftime after home fans threw flares at players, again raising questions about stadium safety and the effectiveness of crowd control measures. Last year, violence flared beyond Israel’s borders when Israeli supporters were attacked in Amsterdam following a match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax. That incident left five people hospitalized and led to dozens of arrests, drawing condemnation from authorities in Amsterdam, Israel, and across Europe, who denounced the attacks as antisemitic. Even before that match, video circulated of Israeli supporters chanting anti-Arab slogans on their way to the stadium, escorted by police.
The pattern of unrest has sparked debate over the role of police in Israeli sports, with critics arguing that heavy-handed tactics can exacerbate tensions rather than defuse them. Hapoel Tel Aviv’s management voiced this sentiment in their post-match statement: "The shocking events outside the stadium, and the rash and scandalous decision not to hold the game, only demonstrate that Israel Police have taken control of the sport." Some fans and commentators fear that continued violence and strict policing could further alienate supporters and damage the reputation of Israeli football at home and abroad.
Meanwhile, Maccabi Tel Aviv, though less vocal than their city rivals, confirmed that the match had been canceled by police but refrained from further comment. The Israeli Football Association now faces a difficult decision regarding the fate of the abandoned derby and the broader challenge of restoring trust and safety in the domestic game.
As authorities continue their investigations and both clubs trade accusations, the abandoned Tel Aviv derby stands as a stark reminder of the volatility that can erupt when sporting passion crosses the line into violence. With international fixtures looming and fan behavior under the microscope, Israeli football confronts a pivotal moment—one that will test its ability to balance security, sportsmanship, and the joy of the game.
For now, the city’s most storied rivalry remains unresolved, its fate hanging in the balance as fans, players, and officials alike await word on when—or if—the match will be rescheduled. The hope, for all involved, is that next time, the drama will unfold on the pitch, not in the stands.