Violence concerns as arch rivals play weekend match

DEPUTIES yesterday called for a coordinated effort to avert any football-related violence over the weekend, when Nicosia arch rivals APOEL and Omonia are set to meet in a crunch match.

The local derby, considered one of the most high-risk when it comes to policing, is of great significance for the championship and following last week’s violent outburst by APOEL fans in Limassol, it will take draconian measures to ensure all goes smoothly.

“We are nearing the end of a football championship that once again has been marred by violence,” Chairman of the House Legal Affairs Committee, DISY’s, Ionas Nicolaou  said yesterday. “Yet again, we came dangerously close to mourning victims,” he said of last Sunday’s violence.

Eight police officers were injured and eight people were arrested when APOEL supporters went on the rampage as they saw their team lose 2-0 to Apollonas.

The aim from this point onwards was to ensure a smooth conclusion to the championship, especially in view of the play-off matches that are coming up, Nicolaou said.

“We are all heavily responsible for this – state, Football Association, clubs and fans – and we need to coordinate our efforts if we are to sort this situation once and for all, ahead of the new football season; otherwise we will all be responsible for what may happen,” AKEL deputy Aristophanis Georgiou added. “There is a law for sports-related violence, as well as the penal code that gives the authorities the ability to combat this phenomenon. From there on, if needed, we will discuss legal amendments.”

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