Two men, both aged 27, have been arrested following Sunday afternoon’s violent clashes at the Anorthosis-Apollon basketball semi-finals at Nicosia’s Tassos Papadopoulos Eleftheria Stadium, police said.
Unruly ‘fans’ covering their faces with hoods had clashed with police before the game even started after they were prevented from entering the stadium without a ticket.
The clashes intensified both inside and outside the stadium after the match was suspended at half term with fans from both sides taking part, forcing police to use tear gas to restore order.
But not before a bus stop and stadium prefabricated offices were set on fire by the hooligans.
Three policemen were injured, taken to hospital and discharged after receiving first aid.
Extensive damage was also caused to five police vehicles and to civilian ones parked at the stadium’s site.
During a police search of the two buses on which the fans arrived at the stadium a quantity of dry cannabis plant material weighing four grams was found and confiscated.
