Bomb explodes at Lakatamia football club (Updated)

A bomb exploded in the early hours of Thursday at the headquarters of third division football club THOI Lakatamia in Nicosia.

According to the Cyprus News Agency, the explosion occurred around 2am. Police officers immediately rushed to the scene to check the premises. No one was reported injured.

Further police investigations following the blast revealed that the wooden main entrance of the building had been forced open prior to the bomb going off. The extent of the damages is currently unknown.

Police sources have confirmed that the blast was most likely caused by an explosive device previously planted inside the building.

Later in the day, the club released a statement on its official Facebook page, denying its involvement in the incident.

“THOI has nothing to do with the explosion, which occurred at a specific location of the facilities, outside our responsibility,” the statement said, adding that the club “does not have differences with anyone, nor is it involved in any situation that would lead to such acts.”

THOI also specified that the explosion took place in an area of the facility that normally functions as a canteen and that is managed by a separate company.

“We want to assure everyone that we will do everything possible to cooperate with the authorities and clear up the incident,” the statement concluded.