November 5 – Israeli football usually makes the news when linked to the Middle East crisis but television pictures flashed around the world of dreadful scenes during the Tel Aviv derby have plunged the domestic game into disgrace.
The always hotly contested fixture between Hapoel and Maccabi, who share the same stadium, was described by the Hapoel manager as a “war” and was abandoned at half-time with the score at 1-1.
Maccabi midfielder Eran Zahavi was attacked by a bare-chested fan and was then sent off for retaliating, prompting further pitch invasions by fans of both teams. An ugly melee ensued before Monday’s match was abandoned.
Hapoel manager Eyel Berkovic who played for Southampton, West Ham, Celtic, Blackburn, Manchester City and Portsmouth, said: “This was not a game of football, it was war. I’m stunned and ashamed to be involved in football on a day like today. Both clubs and both sets of supporters must be severely punished for what happened here.”
Maccabi chief executive Martin Bain, a Scot who was previously at Rangers, said he was “deeply concerned” by the events but supported the decision to abandon the game
“This club will not tolerate anti-social behaviour, will not tolerate violence. We came here as the away team and expected the safety of our players to be paramount. We cannot accept a player being attacked on the field of play and will certainly make representations.”
Contact the writer of this story at andrew.warshaw@insideworldfootball,com