Supporters throw flares onto the pitch during the Cyprus Cup match between AEL and Apollon at the Alpha Mega stadium in Kolossi, near Limassol, on January 24, 2024. [AP]
A spectator arrested for firing sea rockets at opposing fans during a football match will face a minimum charge of attempted murder, Cyprus’ justice minister said on Friday.
Minister Marios Hartsiotis told journalists that the police will be “uncompromising and determined” in the face of fans using sea flares during football matches, and he fully supports the new proactive approach of the police.
“Some people seem really reluctant to change… I want to make it clear to everyone that the police will act rigidly against this kind of behavior,” Hartsiotis commented.
His statements come after a marine flare injured a police motorcyclist who was escorting the Apollon Limassol team bus to the stadium ahead of Thursday night’s match against local rivals AEL.
Police reported the officer suffered minor burns to his right hip and hearing damage.
The match, which brought together around 5,000 spectators and mobilized 182 police officers, took place without major incident.
However, police were later called to the AEL basketball arena, where trophies had been vandalized, sports equipment and uniforms had been destroyed, as well as other arena facilities damaged.
Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis ordered an internal investigation to determine whether law enforcement neglected to take preventative measures, since the arena was under surveillance at the time.
Judicial authorities have long promised to take strong action against football-related violence, which continues to be a problem in Cyprus.
Hartsiotis added that his ministry is working quickly to put in place new, tougher laws against violence in football and to limit disruptive behavior by fan clubs.
[AP]
Belgium
