Vandals target Anorthosis club in Limassol

VANDALS attacked Anorthosis football club at Kato Polemidia in Limassol, causing considerable damage to property. The attack is the latest in a string of vandalism incidents against the football club.

“This is the third attack in a short time, while the previous attack against our football club took place one month ago,” said Soteris Charalambous, Director of Themistokleio football field, which is located next to the Anorthosis club in Polemidia.

The incident took place in the early hours of Tuesday, when a group of vandals threw stones at the club’s building, breaking its windows. The gang was not noticed at the time as the club is located in a relatively isolated area.

Anorthosis representatives strongly criticised both the police, for their “inadequate response” to the vandalism incidents, and KOA for not providing the funding to equip football clubs with adequate security features.

“We have reported all incidents to police, but we noticed a weakness on the part of police to deal with the situation. Not even once did they send out a patrol car in the vicinity,” Charalambous said.

Although the football club plans to install a closed circuit surveillance system to secure its building, it criticised KOA for not providing financial support for such equipment. “KOA is responsible for not providing any funds for security,” Charalambous added.

Asked whether Anorthosis suspects who is behind the attacks, the football club’s representative said it was probably young boys from other football clubs acting on a whim. “It is part of a wider social phenomenon. Boys who frequent other football clubs get drunk and come here to vandalise. We are an easy target because our club is located in an isolated area,” he said.

“Perhaps the fact that Anorthosis has been very successful has caused all these irrational responses,” he added.

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