In recent days, Maccabi Tel Aviv has sent a letter of demand to the Israel Police, the league administration and the basketball association demanding that they no longer allow foreign audiences to enter the derby games.
In the letter obtained by "Israel Hayom" it is stated, among other things: "We are very concerned about the recent incidents of violence in the derby games. We draw your attention to the warnings of the referees who warn of an impending disaster."
"Swearing and profanity are one thing, but throwing objects and risking lives that cause families to avoid coming is another thing that we cannot accept. And this despite all the measures we have taken including nets to prevent objects from being thrown, closing special stands not to mention special costs for ordering various police and security personnel."
"We can no longer bear the responsibility for the safety of the spectators at the derby games, not from the perspective of the Hapoel Tel Aviv fans and the difficult scenes of the evacuation of an entire stand in the last derby, as well as other events that have occurred over the years."
"For more than a decade, it has been forbidden in Greece to allow the fans of the opposing team to enter the home field for the fans of the away team. In Israel, for a long time, a completely similar ban has been in place at Beitar Jerusalem games against Bnei Sakhnin."
"In light of all of the above, we are under no circumstances prepared to accept responsibility as explained regarding public safety at the Tel Aviv basketball derby.
We have suggested in the past and we repeat and suggest not allowing fans of visiting teams to come to the host's home hall.
Should it be decided otherwise, we demand full indemnification, a clear announcement regarding the identity of the person responsible, and to know clearly who will be blamed if and when, God forbid, a disaster occurs.
Under no circumstances will we allow unreasonable amounts such as bringing in a thousand fans or closing a special stand as a condition in the past from the police."
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