Volleyball hooligans cause extensive damage to Nicosia stadium

APPROXIMATELY 150 individuals caused extensive damages to the Eleftheria ‘Tassos Papadopoulos’ Stadium in Nicosia on Friday night following the volleyball match between Omonia and Anorthosis.

Extensive damage was caused to all the windows and glass surfaces near the entrance to the stadium, to the furnishing and fixtures of a number of the offices, and to electrical fittings and appliances.

The match itself started 50 minutes late, due to episodes involving around 20 fans, which caused a delay to the arrival of the Anorthosis volleyball team.  When the bus carrying the players was seen to be approaching the stadium, the group of around 20 youths, who had their faces covered, approached it and started throwing stones.

As a result, according to police reports, the bus’s front windshield was broken and two other windows of the vehicle were also damaged.  The total cost of the damage was estimated at around €4,000.

The fans dispersed, allowing the bus to pass, following police intervention.

After the match a larger number of rioters, totalling around 150, who also had their faces masked, caused disruption and damages both within the stadium and in the surrounding area immediately outside it.

The rioters dispersed after police intervened to restore order.

In terms of the sporting side of the contest, the match was won by Omonia who beat Anorthosis 3 sets to 2.  The match formed part of the semi-finals in volleyball, with the finals scheduled to take place on March 5 at the Themistocleous stadium in Limassol

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