BARELY a month into the new sports season, the Ministry of Justice has decided to enhance security measures at local sport games, with the biggest emphasis once more on football.
The start of the football season has already sent out a stern reminder to police and sports officials that the problem of violence has in no way been defeated.
But Justice Minister Doros Theodorou told reporters at a news conference that there were other dangers in the game, which many people overlooked, such as emergency action plans and crowd control measures within grounds, aimed at keeping spectators within stadium capacity limits.
“After meeting with the Cyprus Sports Federation (KOA) Chairman Titos Christofides and the Chief of Police Tasos Panayiotou we have come to a few decisions which we all believe are vital to sustaining safety in sport stadiums. We have also decided on establishing a stronger evacuation plan for getting people out of the stadium in the event of an emergency.”
As part of an effort from the government and the police to improve safety measures at sport grounds, KOA are planning to install a computer system similar to those used in England.
“With regards to stadium safety, we have decided that as of October 15 this year there will be more in-depth and frequent inspections on stadiums. We also decided to begin making checks on stadium capacities. The reason for this is because there have been numerous cases in the past where a 10,000 seat stadium would take in around 15,000 people and that is extremely dangerous.
“Mr Christofides has also assured me that a new computer system will be implemented in late October. This new system will allow stadium and police officials to have control of the number of spectators entering a ground by recording the tickets that are handed in at the stadium gates.”
But being prepared is also vital, Theodorou explained, stating that despite the island being fortunate that no major tragedy had struck at one of the stadiums, they could not take any chances.
“The police and fire services are also to make another thorough inspection of fire escapes and exits at all the sport stadiums on the island. An evacuation plan is extremely important because we could be looking at a heavy loss of life if some emergency like a fire was to break out.
“Police officials have to ensure the safety of spectators and provide a quick exit for them either onto the pitch or out of the stadium itself.”
The question of hygiene was also raised at the meeting, with the Minister indicating that more emphasis needed to be placed on stalls set up at the grounds. In the past, there have been cases with angry fans demanding money back from kiosk owners because of spoiled sandwiches.
“Meanwhile, we have also been talking with the Ministry of Health and ways in which they too can help in improving the safety at sport games. Psychologists and other medics would be on hand in the event of an emergency, while I have also been assured by the Minister of Health that stadium food such as sandwiches from the stadium kiosk would be checked for things like salmonella, which as we all know can be very dangerous if eaten. I will be having a meeting with Mr Gavrielides on October 20 to discuss the matter further with him.”
Speaking to the Cyprus Mail, Christofides said stadiums in Cyprus were fine, despite the fact Europe’s governing body UEFA has said only two of the island’s stadiums, the GSP and the Tsirium Athletic Centre, pass the necessary criteria.
Earlier this summer, UEFA decided Cypriot champions Anorthosis Famagusta could not play their home European games at their own Antonis Papadopoulos stadium because of floodlight problems, spectator safety problems and communication infrastructure problems. However, the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) has decided that Anorthosis can play their domestic games at their own ground.
“UEFA have certain criteria that we in Cyprus cannot meet with all our stadiums, simply because of the cost factor involved in upgrading all the grounds. We also have to take into account the fact that Cypriot sides do not often host teams from other countries and at present the two or three stadiums needed for European games are sufficient.”
