Filenews 26 January 2024
The measures decided by the CFA to combat violence in stadiums were not considered enough by the government, which last night reinforced them with its own. With bills in the form of urgency, the operation of fan associations that will not be under the supervision and legal responsibility of a sports club will be suspended and the Council of Ministers is given the right to decide to hold a match without fans for security reasons.
Written statement by the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Mr. Marios Hartsiotis:
In relation to today's decisions of the Cyprus Football Federation to address fan violence, the following are noted:
Although these measures are in principle moving in the right direction, the Government considers that they are not enough to immediately and effectively address the problem of citizens' safety inside and outside sports venues.
Based on the above, the Government immediately forwards, in the form of urgency, to the House of Representatives for adoption, a revised amending bill, following the one already submitted on January 17, 2024 with the following, among others, provisions:
(1) The Council of Ministers to have the power to decide, for reasons of public order and security, the holding of matches without the presence of fans;
(2) Not to allow the operation of any Supporters' Association without the responsibility and supervision of a Sports Club.
