Achna community council urges Bases to change mind over policing Omonia games

The Achna community council on Friday urged British bases (SBA) authorities to reconsider their decision to reject a request to police games at Famagusta’s Achna Forest stadium, which champions Omonia had named as its home ground for domestic fixtures after falling out with the authorities at Nicosia’s GSP.

In a statement, the council said residents felt worried and insecure after the announcement by the SBA, which has jurisdiction in the area, that it could not police football fixtures due to public safety concerns and the potential adverse impact on core police community services.

The council said the admission meant residents were second class citizens while the community was dramatically downgraded.

Omonia had named Achna stadium, home of local side Ethnikos, as its home ground for the 2021-2022 domestic league.

It followed an acrimonious break with the authorities of the GSP in the capital, where the champions will still play their European fixtures.

The two sides disagreed over the stadium’s charges with Omonia also wanting to negotiate better terms before signing a new deal.

This means Omonia still has no home ground a month before the championship starts.