The highly anticipated Israeli Premier League derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv, scheduled for Sunday night, was called off due to disturbances before kickoff that led police to determine that conditions at Bloomfield Stadium were unsafe. The stadium is shared by both clubs.

Trouble erupted in and around Bloomfield Stadium ahead of the match. According to the English-language website of The Jerusalem Post, the game was canceled after police decided that the conditions at the stadium were too unsafe to continue due to the "extensive use of pyrotechnics by fans, including fireworks and smoke grenades".

Reports indicate that confrontations between supporters occurred outside the stadium. Police also verified that supporters deployed widespread pyrotechnics, resulting in injuries to police personnel and fans. According to Israeli Police, three officers and five fans were injured during the incidents. Five arrests were made, and several temporary detentions occurred due to illegal assembly.

Maccabi Tel Aviv confirmed the news on social media shortly after the decision was announced, writing, "Following the police's decision, it was determined that the Tel Aviv derby will not take place tonight".

The Israel Professional Football Leagues Association confirmed 20 minutes after the scheduled 8:30 PM kick-off time that the fixture would not proceed due to police instructions, with the venue remaining shrouded in smoke.

An official statement released by local police stated: "Disorderly conduct, riots, object throwing, smoke grenades, fireworks, injured police officers, and damage to stadium infrastructure – this is not a football match, this is a serious public disturbance and violence".

The cancellation occurs days after the Safety Advisory Group in Birmingham, England, controversially decided to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending the Europa League game against Aston Villa on November 6, citing security concerns. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has criticized the decision.