Confetti Halts Tel Aviv Derby Game Amid Referee Outrage

A basketball game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was repeatedly interrupted due to confetti thrown onto the court by a small group of Maccabi fans. The disruptions occurred early in the game and again during the third quarter, leading to significant anger from the referees. Referee Amit Black halted the game and demanded to know from Maccabi Tel Aviv officials why security was not preventing the behavior. He stated to the officials, "They started throwing during the game, I want security, the force commander to tell me what he is doing, we are stopping right now. Explain to us how to deal with this, because until now it seems they are not dealing with it." Black later told the security commander, "They are throwing during the game and on the bench, they are throwing at people, get people in. I am giving them one last chance, if not I will move on." Following the confetti incidents, Hapoel Tel Aviv players and staff requested additional security around their bench due to curses from Maccabi fans seated behind them, leading to more guards being deployed.