The Minister of Justice and Public Order, Marios Hartsiotis, claimed that thousands of troublemakers went to the Apollonas-AEL match yesterday to cause disturbances.
As he stated in his intervention on the television show “Alpha Kalimera,” there had been information for ten days about potential incidents.
He expected that all those involved would inform the troublemakers that they would not tolerate the realization of this information.
He characterized the situation at the “Alphamega Stadium” yesterday as difficult, despite a special plan devised by the Police based on the available information.
In conclusion, he mentioned that what happened yesterday in Limassol would be discussed in today’s Cabinet meeting, and there would also be necessary coordination with the Cyprus Football Association.
Christos Andreou, the Police spokesperson, addressed the reason why the decision was made not to start the match on the show.
“Since all these dangerous objects had appeared in the stadium, it was now dangerous for all fans.”
Asked whether the new measures that were decided upon had already failed in their inception, Mr. Andreou replied that it takes time and they will not yield results overnight.
At the same time, some measures have already shown results, such as the presence of anti-riot police and the checks at stadium entrances.
He clarified that the flares and fireworks did not pass through the entrances but were likely already inside, possibly from previous days.
