“This was not a game of football, it was war”

The Tel Aviv derby between Hapoel and Maccabi was abandoned at half-time after a supporter attacked a player – who was then sent off for retaliating.

Shortly after Maccabi midfielder Eran Zahavi had equalised for the visitors from the penalty spot to make it 1-1, the Israel international was confronted on the pitch by a fan.

The 27-year-old fought off his attacker, who was then restrained by security staff and led away. However, Zahavi was the shown a red card, which led to further pitch invasions and forced the referee, Roi Reinschreiber, to abandon the game.

“This was not a game of football, it was war,” said Hapoel coach Eyal Berkovic.

“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.”

Israeli Sports Minister Limor Livnat described events as “very serious and most shameful”, saying that stopping the match was the only course of action.