The Israeli Premier League derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled before kick-off on Sunday, after what police described as public disorder and violent riots.
Dozens of smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices were thrown, Israeli police posted on X, adding, this is not a football game, this is disorder and serious violence.
Twelve civilians and three officers were injured, police said, while nine people were arrested and 16 detained for questioning.
The unrest comes just days after officials in the UK mentioned concerns over Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending an upcoming Europa League match due to safety issues.
Hapoel Tel Aviv criticized the derby cancellation, accusing Israeli police of preparing for a war, not a sporting event during discussions leading up to the match.
The decision by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Aston Villa match has sparked criticism. The UK government is working to overturn this ban and explore additional security measures for that fixture.
In the past year, incidents leading to violence and hostility have been documented, raising red flags surrounding the fan base's behavior and prompting heightened scrutiny at upcoming games.
