Graffiti sprayed at school in Limassol ahead of cup final

Ahead of Wednesday’s Cypriot cup final between Omonia and Ael Limassol, unknown perpetrators have vandalised the walls of the Ayios Ioannis school in Limassol with football-related graffiti.

The act was condemned by the president of the board of Greek schools in Limassol Dinos Ellinas.

“It is inconceivable for an entire school to require repainting because we have a football cup final,” he told the Cyprus News Agency, adding that the graffiti affected almost the entire exterior area of the school.

“What bothers and concerns us is that in Cyprus we associate football with school premises, and this is why such acts of vandalism occur,” Ellinas added.

He said the situation in some schools is uncontrollable, to the point where teachers consider it high-risk.

“The refurbishment and repainting will cost several thousand euros. If suspicions regarding specific students are confirmed, it may be necessary to ask the parents themselves to cover the costs.

“We need and demand the permanent guarding of high-risk schools from 3pm until the morning hours,” Ellinas said.