Limassol district court on Friday issued a five-day remand order for a 22-year-old suspect arrested in connection with disturbances outside the Apollon indoor sports venue on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, police arrested a 32-year-old man, one of three individuals wanted in connection with the incident. Two 24-year-old suspects remain at large.

The 22-year-old first appeared in court on Thursday, where police requested an eight-day remand. However, due to objections and the late hour, proceedings were postponed and continued on Friday.

On Tuesday night, swift action by police forces averted serious disturbances outside sports venues in Limassol and Nicosia, as rival football and handball supporters attempted to confront each other.

In Limassol, a second-division handball match between Apollon and Omonia 29M at an indoor stadium nearly descended into chaos. At around 9.25pm, police intelligence indicated that approximately 100 Omonia 29M fans had gathered in the Zygi area, heading towards the venue.

Authorities immediately set up roadblocks near the stadium, while riot police intercepted the group before they arrived. Many fans, wearing masks and carrying bats and other offensive weapons, confronted officers.

In response, police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The group fled, abandoning four vehicles at the scene. A search of one vehicle uncovered a weapon, and investigations into all four vehicles remain ongoing. During the operation, one police officer sustained a leg injury and required medical treatment before being discharged.

Thanks to timely police intervention and strategic intelligence gathering, major incidents and further injuries were prevented. Officials also noted that potential damage to public and private property was successfully averted.

Meanwhile, in Nicosia, heightened security measures were in place for a high-profile quarter-final football match between Omonia Nicosia and AEL Limassol at GSP Stadium.

Between 7pm and 9pm, before kick-off, a supporter was arrested during routine security checks after being found in possession of two cannabis-laced cigarettes.

After the match, tensions escalated when AEL supporters threw stones at police officers as fans exited the stadium. Two officers sustained minor injuries, and a police shield was damaged. Omonia supporters were also targeted in the unrest.

To prevent further violence, riot police deployed tear gas to disperse the aggressive crowd. The situation was swiftly brought under control, and no additional injuries were reported.

Authorities continue to stress the importance of fan behaviour and urge supporters to respect law enforcement and ensure safety at all sporting events.