Newsroom
What started as an ordinary football game between AEL and Apollon in Limassol quickly turned into a dramatic and dangerous incident, leaving one policeman injured and the AEL indoor stadium vandalized. But the real shock came from the Justice Minister’s statement: attempted murder charges are on the table for anyone involved in using or possessing a naval flare during the incidents.
The flare was no toy. Fired from an unknown location, it struck a motorcyclist from the police’s Group Z, who was accompanying the Apollon team's bus. The policeman suffered acute acoustic trauma and a slight burn to his right hip. The flare’s impact didn’t stop there — it also damaged his motorcycle’s seat. Thankfully, after receiving medical attention, he was given five days off.
...this incident has left everyone asking: will this flare incident be a turning point in how the authorities handle violence in sports? Only time will tell.
But the drama didn’t end with the injury. Police quickly shifted their focus to a second incident that occurred later that evening. Around 8 p.m., a group of vandals entered the indoor stadium of AEL Limassol and caused significant damage to facilities, including trophy cases and sports equipment. No one was caught at the scene, but the damage was enough to leave investigators busy for the night.
So, what’s the real danger here? Justice and Public Order Minister Marios Hartsiotis didn’t mince words when he addressed the flare incident. He made it clear that anyone caught using or possessing a naval flare with the intent to target specific people would face only attempted murder charges, nothing less. No other charges would be considered.
“This is a prohibited item, and the consequences of using it like this are severe,” Hartsiotis said. "We’ll be relentless in making sure these individuals face justice."
Police investigations are now focused on finding the culprits behind the flare attack and the vandalism at the stadium. Meanwhile, the police are also conducting an internal review to assess whether there were any failings in their supervision of the grounds during the event.
In a swift response, the government is also working to finalize bills aimed at tackling violence in stadiums and improving fan association regulations. These bills are set for review by the Legal Service before moving forward to Parliament.
Despite the tense atmosphere during the game, the match between AEL and Apollon proceeded without further incident, with around 5,000 fans in attendance. However, this incident has left everyone asking: will this flare incident be a turning point in how the authorities handle violence in sports? Only time will tell.
