Newsroom
Police in Larnaca are investigating the display of a banner containing racist and abusive language during a football match between Freedom 24 Krasava ENY and APOEL at the Ammochostos Stadium on Sunday.
According to the Larnaca Police Directorate, the banner, displayed in the section hosting APOEL supporters before the match, contained the message (in Greek): “Turkish spawn Fidias, the disgrace of Cyprus.”
Authorities said the banner was directed at Fidias Panayiotou, following comments made by journalist and historian Michalis Michael regarding the death of Grigoris Afxentiou during his appearance on a podcast hosted by a member of the European Parliament.
Police are investigating the case as an offense under the 2008 Law on the Prevention and Suppression of Violence in Sports Venues, which prohibits the use of racist or abusive slogans or symbols.
Investigators have obtained CCTV footage from the stadium and are examining it to identify those responsible for displaying the banner.
