Nine suspected hooligans were remanded in custody yesterday in connection with violent clashes during Friday’s Anorthosis-Apollon friendly at the Antonis Papadopoulos stadium in Larnaca.
The football riots described by the authorities as “unacceptable” and “extremely ugly” left one young fan with serious burns and eight police officers with minor injuries.
Three cars outside the stadium were also damaged. Speaking during the remand hearing, case investigator Marios Papachristoforou said the suspects aged between 20 and 35 are believed to have been part of a large mob of Apollon supporters who descended on the stadium 15 minutes into the game and launched an attack on Anorthosis fans.
“Around 200 of them met near the Kalo Chorio roundabout and drove to the stadium where they attacked Anorthosis supporters with flares, rocks firecrackers and Molotov bombs,” said the detective.
The violence escalated when Anorthosis fans exited the stadium and scuffled with their rivals.
The two groups ran wild for nearly an hour before reinforcements – a small number of police officers in riot gear – arrived and managed to disperse them with teargas.
Christoforou added that a 20-year-old fan who suffered severe burns and chemical inhalation during the incident was still in very serious condition.
“He is in intensive care with second degree burns caused by a Molotov bomb while eight of our officers were admitted to hospital over minor injuries.”
The youth was rushed to Limassol hospital after the game but due to the seriousness of his condition was transferred to Nicosia General where he was placed on a respirator.
According to Papachristoforou, police have reliable information that the suspects took part in the clashes.
“They will be placed in a police lineup in attempt to identify them and we are also examining CCTV footage taken from around the stadium.”
He added that police were also trying to track down hooligans through local hospitals where they may have sought medical treatment over the weekend.
The lawyer of two of the suspects aged 29 and 35 objected to the remand request saying there was no real evidence against his clients.
“Just because they were part of a convoy of Apollon supporters does not mean they took part in the violence. It is unacceptable for the police to hold my clients while they try to identify them through CCTV footage.”
The judge ordered a three day remand for seven of the suspects and five days each for the remaining two.
Although prison terms are handed out in relation to football violence critics complain that sentencing remains rare and is not severe enough to deal with what is becoming a serious problem in Cyprus.
The Ministry of Justice announced in April that it was examining new ways to deal with hooliganism after several people were injured at two football matches.
Cyprus Weekly
