Serious trouble flared before Saturday’s AEL–Apollon match at Limassol’s Alphamega Stadium, leaving officers injured and four men under arrest.
Around 5:15 p.m., a group of roughly fifty motorcyclists heading to the game stopped at the traffic-light junction of Navarinou and Irinis streets and blocked the road. One rider lit and threw a flare while others detonated bangers. Anti-riot police moved in quickly and used chemical spray to disperse the crowd.
A 34-year-old man wearing a face covering then fired a naval flare toward the officers, fortunately causing no injuries, and attempted to launch a second before police tackled and arrested him. Officers recovered a used flare, an unused naval flare, a banger, another flare and various other items from the scene and his possession. The 34-year-old Limassol resident remains in custody.
During routine pre-match checks at the stadium, police discovered a grinder containing traces of cannabis on a 26-year-old supporter. When officers attempted to handcuff him, he violently resisted and assaulted two policemen. One officer required hospital treatment for a wrist injury and abrasions before being discharged. The 26-year-old was also detained.
Separately, around fifty ticketless fans gathered outside the ground and were ordered to leave. Two men from the group, aged 39 and 24, allegedly swore at officers and attacked them, resisting arrest when taken into custody.
All four Limassol residents are being held on various charges including rioting, possession and use of explosive materials, assaulting police, resisting arrest and drug possession. Police confirmed the situation was brought under control.
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