President Nikos Christodoulides on Monday said the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) should take responsibility over the violence which unfolded ahead of an Ael-Apollon match and not try to hide behind their powers allowing them to run their own house.

“They have responsibilities, we warned them about all of this but they continue to hide.”

His statements threw the shift of blame squarely to the CFA, amid growing criticism over the violence which unfolded on Sunday during a scheduled Ael-Apollon match which had to be cancelled amid clashes between Ael fans and police.

Three officers were injured, with one now in a private hospital after undergoing knee surgery. Another two fans reported violence in the hands of police.

“Everyone needs to take responsibility, particularly the CFA’s leadership and the chairman.” Christodoulides said.

They should not hide behind their self-governing structure, he added.

On Sunday night, the Alphamega stadium in Limassol turned into a violent fracas, as some 800-1000 Ael fans turned up at the stadium and a group of them began clashing with police.

A group “that came with a plan” managed then to break into the stadium, climbing over the gate and opening it up in a way that allowed hoards of fans to usher through without any inspections, police spokesman Andreas Christou said.

Officers then called fans to exit the stadium to undergo checks, “as part of the police’s efforts to allow the game to go ahead.”

Nonetheless, a group refused to leave and as such, police could no longer guarantee sufficient safety. Officers had found a bag of Molotov cocktails and torches.

More violence unfurled as fans began throwing stones, flares and noxious sprays. This led to the three officers’ injuries.

Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said four individuals had been arrested and “exemplary” punishment would be meted out to anyone responsible for the clashes. The four were detained while Limassol district court will reserve its decision for Tuesday.

The suspects are two 17-year-olds, an 18-year-old and a 21-year-old, all from Limassol, who were intercepted outside the Ael fan club premises shortly after they were seen getting into a car intending to escape.

Police are also searching for another 17 suspects, whose pictures have been published as part of an effort to get the public’s help in identifying them.

In a press conference, Andreou said the force was preparing an internal report over what happened and what may have gone wrong.

“We have never shied away from taking responsibility. But everyone must do so,” he said.

Hartsiotis called on all authorities, including the sports clubs, stadium managers, and the CFA to take up their responsibilities, saying the police could not be held solely responsible.

“The police have other far more serious problems to tackle and, unfortunately, the public [taxpayer] now has to pay [thousands of euros] for the overtime of officers who were required to secure a football game,” the minister said.

Around 300 police officers worked to cover the game, with Andreou saying it was not sustainable to have such a large presence every time there was a match.

Questioned about “gaps” in police planning, the minister reiterated that all authorities needed to be held to account and gave the example of the stadium doors, over which a horde of fans managed to jump and subsequently destroy.

Meanwhile, the CFA stressed on Monday that the incidents at the Alphamega stadium “were not related to fan movements, but rather a clash between fans and the police”.

CFA chairman Giorgos Koumas called for a meeting with the heads of the First Division teams on Friday to discuss the issue of violence in football and potential solutions.

The association condemned all forms of violence and expressed support for those injured, wishing them a speedy recovery.

“The scenes witnessed both on television and by those present at the stadium do not reflect the values of football,” the CFA said, further urging the clubs’ management and true fans “to protect the sport, which is a significant part of society and holds the love and interest of fans worldwide.

“The movement of fans [at away games] should not be blamed for every negative incident,” it added.

The CFA assured that disciplinary action would be taken where necessary and expressed confidence that “the police would conduct a thorough investigation, apprehend suspects and ensure justice is served”.

A detailed investigation of all aspects of the violence has been requested by police chief Stelios Papatheodorou.

Ael’s board of directors expressed “concerns over the cancellation of the match”, adding that the reasons behind it remain unclear. The club also announced that it will fully investigate the circumstances surrounding the game’s cancellation.

In a statement, the club said it is “deeply disappointed and frustrated over the unprecedented and troubling events that led to the match not taking place.

“This situation poses significant risks to the future of the sport.

“We will approach this issue with full seriousness and responsibility. We ask for understanding in our decision not to make any more public statements, as we use this time to gather all necessary information to respond responsibly.”

Clashes between Ael fans and police started ahead of the game with Apollon, which authorities had classed as ‘high risk’.

Police’s call for fans to leave the stadium to be checked was met with further violence as fans began throwing stones and Molotovs at police and officers attempted to disburse the crowd by using the water cannon.

Strict orders had been issued ahead of the game on how fans were to enter the stadium, and what protocols were to be followed, with Hartsiotis earlier on Sunday calling on fans to behave.

“It was clear the [Ael fans] came with the pre-planned intention to generate clashes so as to enable others to slip into the stadium illegally,” Hartsiotis said.

Earlier this year, the Cyprus Cup derby between Apollon and Ael which was also to have been played at the Alphamega stadium, was cancelled due to violent incidents.

On Monday, the Cyprus Police Association condemned “the unacceptable attack on police officers who were performing their duties”, echoing Hartsiotis in calling for exemplary punishment for those involved.

“This is yet another case that demonstrates the dangers faced by police officers, who are called upon at any moment to combat crime for the greater good, often putting their own lives at serious risk,” the association said.

“The attack on police officers is undeniably an attack on democracy. The state and relevant authorities must uphold the dignity and authority of the police, as is customary in all well-governed democratic countries.”