Police investigate after fans illegally enter football game

Paphos police on Monday said they were investigating disruptive incidents that took place over the weekend during a second division football game between Akritas Chlorakas and Omonia Aradippou.

Spokesman Michalis Nicolaou said that before the match, which took place on Saturday at Stelios Kyriakides stadium in Paphos, some Omonia Aradippou fans refused to show their SafePass and were barred from entering the stadium.

A group of fans subsequently gathered outside the stadium entrance in protest, causing unrest, he added.

Nicolaou said that as Paphos police officers attempted to disperse the crowd, fans from inside the football field attacked the guards and managed to unlock and open the gates, letting around 30 people enter unsupervised.

The spokesman added that the incidents caused a 15-minute delay to the game, while a guard was seriously injured.

Police are investigating the incident as a case of rioting, illegal entry into a sports venue, assault and grievous bodily harm, and obstruction of the smooth running of the match.

For now they have issued a warrant for the arrest of a 46-year-old, but according to Nicolaou investigations will continue.