CFA calls on clubs to help

THE CYPRUS Football Association (CFA) yesterday issued a cry for help in the aftermath of Saturday’s game between AEL Limassol and APOEL, which ended in a riot, six arrests, 27 injuries and the death of a MMAD (Rapid Reaction Unit) Officer.

The CFA yesterday issued an announcement condemning the events and calling on the clubs to grant the disciplinary board permission to be allowed to authorise games to be played behind closed doors.

CFA officials said they would be holding a meeting with football club officials in the near future to discuss the implementation of powers to allow stadium bans, while also discussing the possibility of reducing stadium seats for away fans.

The announcement also expressed the CFA’s deepest condolences to the family of Marios Malekkou, the MMAD sergeant who died of a heart attack during the violent scenes after Saturday’s game.

Justice Minister Doros Theodorou said yesterday the situation has reached boiling point, adding that football violence had clearly unveiled a social problem that needed to be dealt with.

“I don’t know what to do about the problem any more. I think it is time for all of us to change our attitudes. It is time we all understand it is a fine line between becoming a parent, an arsonist or a fireman. I am still asking myself why this all happened, especially when the game itself went smoothly. Why were so many injured and why did a police officer have to die?”

Theodorou added that the state refused to buckle to 40 or 50 fanatics and that the police would continue their duty of safeguarding innocent civilians. He added that President Tassos Papadopoulos had exactly the same opinion as him.

“It is now up to the CFA to send out the proper punishments to those responsible,” said Theodorou.

Meanwhile, Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides also condemned Saturday’s violence, telling reporters that “hooliganism has reached the final limit. Those responsible will be taken to court and punished accordingly.”