Two football hooligans face trail over beating

TWO MEN were yesterday referred for trial before the criminal court in connection with the brutal beating of a 20-year-old that left him in critical condition. The man sustained critical head injuries around two weeks ago during clashes between rival football fans at a futsal facility Nicosia. The two suspects, aged 23 and 24, were yesterday referred for trial before the criminal court where they will face attempted murder charges, among others. They also face conspiracy to commit felony, actions aiming at causing grievous bodily harm and assault. Charges carry a maximum of life imprisonment. The pair were released on a €50,000 bail after handing over their travel documents. They are expected to be formally charged before the criminal court on December 3. The 20-year-old was beaten with hockey sticks at the Nuevo Campo futsal ground where APOEL fans, on their way to Larnaca, attacked Omonia supporters who were organising a tournament. The skirmish had nothing to do with the weekend’s football fixtures, and was likely instigated by a running vendetta between the two rival sets of fans. The incident sparked a fresh debate about hooliganism with authorities introducing several measures in a bid to curb the ever-increasing violence. Yesterday, Justice Minister Lukas Luka said officers were being specially trained to police sports grounds. “They will be specific officers who will be trained by the rapid reaction unit and will have the necessary equipment to achieve better policing,” the minister said. Fans would also have to present their identity card at the entrance of the stadium, which would have to correspond to the identity number on the ticket. Authorities have also decided to hold high-risk games in the daytime as another measure to stem violence.

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