Apoel’s organised fan group, known as the “Oranges”, has officially claimed responsibility for the controversial banner displayed during Sunday’s match against ENY Digenis. The Apoel ultras banner targeted Cypriot MEP Fidias Panayiotou and sparked a police investigation into possible offensive or unlawful slogans.
In a statement, the group said:
“We officially take responsibility for yesterday’s banner and call on the authorities to tell us the day and time so they can arrest us all. The arrest, however, will take place at Machairas, at the hideout of the Eagle of Machairas.”
The reference to Machairas Monastery is loaded with symbolism, recalling the mountain hideout of resistance fighter Grigoris Afxentiou, also known as the Eagle of Machairas. The ultras used it as a sign of defiance, criticising the state and police for what they described as misplaced priorities.
They further accused authorities of neglecting “serious issues in society” in favour of “a show” over the banner, despite heavy policing, surveillance cameras and the fan card system.
The statement closed with the slogan “Unrepentant Unionists” and a salute to the Eagle of Machairas.
The police investigation into the Apoel ultras banner continues.
Also read: Police investigate Fidias banner incident at Larnaca match
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