• Match played in Salzburg was called off before the end • Protesters carrying flags fought with players on the pitch

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

A friendly between the Israeli team Maccabi Haifa and the French side Lille was abandoned after pro-Palestinian protesters stormed the pitch and fought with players.

Salzburg police said the pre-season friendly in the town of Bischofshofen was interrupted shortly before the end when protesters waving flags entered the pitch. Nobody was injured, and the game was abandoned shortly after the incident.

The Jerusalem Post reported that “punches and profanities were exchanged between the handful of youngsters, who waved Palestinian and Turkish flags throughout the match, and the Haifa players, who were mainly stunned by the scenes”.

In a statement, Maccabi said: “This club believes in co-existence, tolerance and is against violence. We denounce the violence that was used against us.

“This didn’t happen because of sport or football, it happened because we are a team which represents Israel.”

The incident came as it was reported that 718 Palestinians, 32 Israeli soldiers and three Israeli civilians have now been killed since Israel launched its military offensive.