Filenews 4 February 2025
The new incidents that caused hooliganism the day before yesterday in Larnaca before and after the AEK – AEL football match, leave no room for relaxation, resulting in the acceleration of measures by the Ministry of Justice.
The Police are studying various ways to combat violence, while at the same time the Minister of Justice and Public Order Marios Hartsiotis is accelerating the submission of the bill concerning the fight against violence in sports venues in Parliament. This bill would be sent to Parliament along with a second one concerning the operation of the Supporters' Associations. However, due to yesterday's events, it was decided that the one concerning stricter measures for fans should be submitted immediately to the House for a vote.
It is possible that next Wednesday the bill will be passed by the Council of Ministers or next week at the latest, while the other bill related to the establishment and operation of Supporters' Associations will be put to public consultation.
As already announced, the bill to combat violence in sports venues provides for the conduct of narcotests and breathalyzer tests in individual cases of fans who are suspected of intending to enter the stadium while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. As has been established, fans before each match, gather outside mobile canteens serving alcohol, while others use drugs before or even while in the stands. The controls, as provided for in the bill, will not be universal, but targeted.
Anyone who tests positive will not be allowed to enter the stadium or drive.
At the same time, the Ministry of Justice and the Police are assessing the situation after yesterday's incidents and it is not excluded that a meeting will be convened with the CFA and the unions to examine the situation.
A representative of the Police confirmed to "F" that yesterday the Police after throwing the first flare before the start of the match in Larnaca recommended to the referee not to start the game, but he decided that if there were no more incidents he would start it, as he did. At the end of the match there were new extensive incidents outside AEK's stadium.
In the meantime, a proposal for non-policing of matches with away fans at least until the adoption of the two pending bills (amendment of the legislation on violence in stadiums and on SYFI), was submitted by the Police Branch of the Trade Union EQUALITY to the Chief of Police. Nikos Loizides points out the danger of mourning victims due to weaknesses in policing.
