Filenews 22 May 2023
Last night's football match between the teams of APOLLON and APOEL was marked with various incidents of violence. Police arrested one person for illegal possession of drugs and confiscated a backpack of sparklers, which were found inside the stadium.
According to police, a 19-year-old fan, who was leaving the stadium in his car, was attacked by a group of ten unidentified fans of the opposing team. The unidentified men damaged the 19-year-old's car and attacked him by hitting him in the face.
The 19-year-old was taken to a private clinic in Limassol, where he was found to have an upper and lower jaw tooth injury. After being given first aid, he was discharged.
At the same time, during police checks at the stadium, before the match, a backpack was found in the toilet area, in the stands of the stadium, hidden in the false ceiling. Inside there were 53 smoke canisters and nine flares, which were received by the police.
Upon arrival of fans of both teams at the stadium, fans of one team moved menacingly towards fans of the other team. Members of the Police intervened immediately and with the use of the anti-riot vehicle, order was restored.
During the checks, at the entrances of the stadium, a 20-year-old man was stopped for checking, in whose possession a cigarette with cannabis was found, resulting in his arrest for the flagrant offense. He was taken to the offices of YKAN (Limassol District Unit), where, after being charged in writing, he was released.
At the end of the match, fans of one team broke a number of seats in the stands and threw them into the pitch, while causing damage to the walls of the stadium.
Also, during the departure of fans, outside the fenced area of the stadium, there were incidents by fans of both teams. Fires were set in various parts of the area and extinguished by the Fire Brigade. Order was restored after police intervention. During the incidents, a police vehicle was slightly damaged.
The ICF of Limassol, in cooperation with the Episkopi Police Station, continue the examinations.
