More football violence, hooliganism in Limassol

Police on Monday reported that on Sunday evening an Apollon fan was punched in the face while leaving the Alphamega stadium at the end of the Apollon – Apoel football match.

According to the police, the 19-year-old was attacked by a group of ten hooligans, who, after damaging his vehicle, hit him in the face and fled the scene.

The 19-year-old was taken to a private clinic in Limassol, where he was found to have bruising to his upper and lower jaws and teeth, and was discharged after receiving first aid.

Police had been called to the scene earlier to conduct checks and restore order during the match.

In stadium checks before the start of the match, police found and confiscated a backpack containing 53 smoke generators and nine flares. The backpack had been hidden in the false ceiling of a bathroom.

Tensions erupted as spectators entered the stadium, with fans of one team threatening fans of the other, and police resorted to use of the force’s water-cannon to restore order.

During checks at the entrances to the stadium, police stopped a 20-year-old man who was found with a joint, as a result of which he taken to the drug squad office where he was released after being charged in writing.

At the end of the match, Apoel fans smashed and ripped out seats, and hurled them into the playing field, damaging stadium walls.

Further incidents were recorded outside the stadium from fans of both teams, including the starting of fires, which the fire service was called on to put out.

Order was restored after police intervened and one police vehicle was slightly damaged.