In Israel, ​t wo Beitar Jerusalem fans have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in an attack on Saturday that left a rival fan with an axe wound to the head.





According to ​​Haaertz ​ , the police are treating the attack as attempted murder and the coundition of the supporter, who follows Hapoel Tel Aviv, remains serious.









Police suspect that fans of Beitar ambushed Hapoel supporters after they got off a bus in the south of Tel Aviv, with it believed that the Hapoel fans were part of the club's Ultras organisation.





A brawl apparently broke out, during which Beitar fans allegedly struck the Hapoel fan with an axe.





The fan, who is suffering from serious head wounds, was evacuated to hospital, where he underwent an emergency operation.









Haaertz reports police officials initially thought that the method and seriousness of the incident suggested a criminal attack.





However, an investigation led to the conclusion that the attack was related to the victims' identity as Hapoel Tel Aviv fans.





"Around 20:00, a report was received of a fracas between groups of fans in Tel Aviv, not far from [Hapoel's] Bloomfield Stadium," the police stated.





"Police forces were called to the area and broke up the quarrel."









Hapoel Tel Aviv commented: "The team practice planned for this morning was cancelled because of the shock the club is in after the violent attack against team fans last night.





"When the players arrived at the training ground, they were briefed on the details of the incident and about the serious condition of the fan, who underwent a complex operation that took all night."





The Israel Football Association added further comments: "The IFA roundly condemns the serious, violent criminal attack on a Hapoel Tel Aviv fan last night.









"The association will do all in its ability, in full cooperation law enforcement authorities, to rein in the plague of violence threatening Israeli soccer and Israeli society. We call on lovers of the game to respect the laws, avoid any violent act and pay heed to mutual responsibility that will ensure peace for all fans.





"There is no reason in the world that a soccer fan won't return in one piece to his home after a game of his beloved team."

***WARNING: THE FOLLOWING PICTURE IS VERY GRAPHIC AND READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED***





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