The highly anticipated Israeli Premier League derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was abruptly canceled by police due to violent riots that erupted before the scheduled kick-off. The chaotic scenes at Bloomfield Stadium left 12 civilians and three police officers injured, with nine individuals arrested and 16 detained for questioning. Authorities cited ‘public disorder and violent riots’ as the primary reason for the cancellation, highlighting the use of smoke grenades, pyrotechnic devices, and significant damage to infrastructure. Hapoel Tel Aviv criticized the decision, accusing the police of treating the event as a ‘war’ rather than a sporting occasion and alleging that most injuries resulted from ‘brutal police violence.’ The club condemned all acts of violence but vowed to challenge lawbreakers, even if they were law enforcement officers. Meanwhile, safety concerns have extended beyond Israel, with Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group recommending that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans be barred from attending an upcoming Europa League match against Aston Villa on November 6. The UK government is working to overturn the ban, exploring additional measures to ensure the fixture proceeds safely. West Midlands Police supported the ban, classifying the match as ‘high risk’ due to past incidents, including violent clashes between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax fans in Amsterdam in November 2024. The cancellation and ongoing tensions reflect broader unrest linked to the war in Gaza, which has spilled over into various sporting events globally.