Hapoel Tel Aviv Ultras Clash With Police Over Fan Gear

The 'Ultras Hapoel' fan group of the Hapoel Tel Aviv soccer club is reportedly heading for another confrontation with the Israel Police. The fan group issued a statement on Tuesday, accusing the police of making a "blackmail" offer: "Commit to order and not bringing flares in order to approve cheering equipment and banners."

The Ultras group has refused the police's terms, stating, "We are Ultras Hapoel, not a security company, and certainly not collaborators with the Israel Police like other fan bases who are willing to compromise and bow their heads."

The statement further elaborated, "There is a police force here trying to run the business and set the rules of the game. The police do not run football. Our equation is simple: we do not make deals with the police and we do not do their work for them."

This dispute comes after a recent league match where Hapoel Haifa and Hapoel Tel Aviv drew 0-0.