In response to a recent escalation of violence at football matches in Limassol and Nicosia, the police have made arrests and are conducting investigations under the Law on Violence in Sports Venues. The Special Police Unit intervened during clashes, and those detained face charges like possession of weapons and causing bodily harm. Ongoing inquiries aim to ensure safety and prevent future incidents.
What measures are being taken to address violence at football matches?
To address violence at football matches, the police have made arrests and are conducting investigations under the Law on Violence in Sports Venues. The Special Police Unit intervened during clashes, and those detained face charges like possession of weapons and causing bodily harm. Ongoing inquiries aim to ensure safety and prevent future incidents.
Incident Overview in Limassol and Nicosia
In a recent spate of violence surrounding football matches, authorities have been compelled to take action. Yesterday, in the cities of Nicosia and Limassol, police detained three individuals in efforts to investigate offenses in breach of the Law on Violence in Sports Venues. This law is designed to mitigate aggressive behavior and ensure safety at sporting events.
Limassol Match Disturbance
Clash Between Fans
The football match in Limassol that saw Apollon and APOEL face off ended not with cheers but chaos. As the crowd began to exit the stadium, hostility erupted. Allegedly, a contingent of supporters from one faction launched an attack by hurling objects at opposing fans, escalating the post-match tension.
Police Intervention
Responding to the upheaval, the Special Police Unit for the Management of Sports Events (MMAD) stepped in. Their presence was crucial in defusing the situation, causing the aggressors to scatter. Amidst this intervention, a 22-year-old from Nicosia was caught. The charges against him include possession of a potential weapon and masking his identity with a hood.
Arrest and Custody
The apprehended young adult is now in custody, with the Episkopi Police Station spearheading the investigation.
Assault Leads to Hospitalization
At approximately 10 p.m., an alarming development occurred when a 15-year-old from Limassol suffered injuries due to an assault. He was promptly taken to a private medical facility for treatment.
Details of the Attack
According to the victim, the assault took place post-match near Alphamega Stadium. He and a 17-year-old companion were set upon by seven hooded individuals, bearing the rival team’s emblems. The assailants reportedly used physical violence, including a bat, to inflict harm.
Condition of the Victims
The medical team attending to the 15-year-old confirmed bruises and abrasions, particularly noticeable on his head and neck. For safety measures, he remains under clinical care. His 17-year-old friend escaped the ordeal without physical injury.
Nicosia Match Incident
Firecracker Disturbance
A parallel incident occurred in Nicosia at the GSP Stadium during the OMONIA versus AEL match. Two disguised individuals, both 19 years of age, disrupted the environment by igniting firecrackers within the stands.
Immediate Arrest
The culprits were swiftly taken to the stadium’s police office, where further firecrackers were discovered in their possession. The arrest was immediate, and the individuals are scheduled for a court appearance to address the charges.
Ongoing Investigations
The unfortunate events of these football matches have prompted thorough investigations by local police stations in Episkopi and Strovolos. Both stations are diligently working to bring clarity and resolution to these incidents.
Recently, there has been a lot of violence at football matches in Limassol and Nicosia. The police have made arrests and are investigating the incidents. They are charging people with things like carrying weapons and hurting others. The police are trying to make sure that everyone is safe and prevent this violence from happening again.
In Limassol, there was a fight between fans after a match between Apollon and APOEL. The police had to step in to stop the fighting. They arrested one person who had a potential weapon and was hiding their identity. Another person was also injured in a separate incident and had to go to the hospital.
In Nicosia, two people set off firecrackers during a match between OMONIA and AEL. They were arrested and will have to go to court for their actions.
The police are still investigating these incidents to figure out exactly what happened and make sure it doesn’t happen again.
