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A highly anticipated football match between AEL Limassol and Apollon was abruptly canceled after violent clashes broke out between AEL fans and police forces. The game, described as “high-risk” by authorities, took a dangerous turn when tensions escalated outside the stadium, leading to multiple injuries and chaos.
The trouble began before the match, as fans began arriving at Alphamega Stadium in Limassol. According to police chief Stelios Papatheodorou, AEL supporters sparked conflict by disregarding security protocols and behaving aggressively toward officers. Despite strict guidelines for entering the venue, clashes erupted, with fans reportedly throwing stones and Molotov cocktails at the police. In response, officers deployed a water cannon, Aiantas, to disperse the crowd.
As the situation intensified, at least three police officers were injured during the altercations. Earlier in the day, police discovered a stash of Molotov cocktails and flares, heightening concerns about potential violence. Papatheodorou condemned the actions of AEL fans, stating that they refused to comply with security checks and targeted police with aggressive behavior.
Due to the escalating violence, the stadium was evacuated, with authorities asking fans to leave and undergo security checks again before being allowed back inside. However, not all fans complied with the police’s orders, further complicating the situation. Eventually, authorities decided they could no longer guarantee the safety of the event and canceled the match altogether.
This incident marks another chapter in Cyprus’ ongoing struggles with football-related violence. The game was already under scrutiny, with Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis urging fans to show sportsmanship rather than turn the arena into a battleground. Describing the match as a high-risk event, Hartsiotis had warned fans earlier in the day to behave responsibly.
Despite efforts to maintain order, the conflict between police and AEL fans spiraled out of control, leading to a decision to cancel the game. Riot police had been deployed to the scene amid concerns of escalation, and an emergency management center had been set up at the stadium. The violence follows similar incidents earlier in the year, with a Cyprus Cup derby between Apollon and AEL also being canceled due to fan-related disturbances.
In the aftermath of the incident, Papatheodorou reaffirmed his commitment to tackling football violence, emphasizing that he would not resign despite the challenges presented by these recurrent issues. The cancellation of the match highlights the ongoing difficulties authorities face in curbing violent fan behavior at football events in Cyprus.
