A large police operation with hundreds of officers was unable to stop violent clashes at a high-risk football match in Limassol on Thursday. The game, a local rivalry between AEL and Apollon, resulted in several arrests and left one police officer injured. These events have once again raised concerns about safety in Cypriot football. The trouble happened even though the police had officially suggested that the match should be played without any fans, an idea that the Cyprus Football Association did not accept.
The problems began early on the day of the match, when a serious fight broke out between groups of fans in the city center. This created a tense mood, leading the police to treat the upcoming game as a major security challenge. To prepare for more trouble, they mobilized over three hundred officers, including special anti-riot units, with a detailed plan to keep order.
As the day continued, there was a clear pattern of planned provocation and disorder. In the afternoon, there were strict checks at the Alpha Mega Stadium entrances. However, the violence spread into the streets of Limassol. Before the game started, about fifty motorcyclists blocked traffic, while others set off flares and firecrackers. In a very dangerous act, someone fired a marine flare directly at police officers. Four people were arrested in connection with the events, including one man caught near the stadium with a hidden face and pyrotechnics in his possession.
Those arrested now face serious legal consequences. The charges against them include taking part in riots, having and using illegal explosives, public insult, and resisting arrest. One person is also accused of having a small amount of drugs. The main suspect, a 34-year-old man believed to be involved in the flare attack on police, has been kept in custody. The clashes also had a human cost, with one officer getting injured and needing hospital treatment.
This incident forces people to ask difficult questions about how to manage high-risk football matches. It highlights the ongoing struggle to balance security with allowing fans to attend. The football association's decision to ignore police safety advice will certainly be examined closely. While the game was played with fans present, the day's violence shows that football-related trouble remains a deep problem. This will likely lead to a serious review of police planning and cooperation between all involved parties, as the cycle of tension and violence seems unbroken.