Hooded Mob Breaks into Nicosia Football Fan Club Injuring Three

A 44-year-old woman was arrested in a separate incident and an usher was injured during widespread episodes of violence before, during and after the match, police said.

The match between Omonia and Apoel, won by the former, was held at the GSP stadium on Sunday night.

The most serious incident happened at the fan club at 10.30pm after the match, police spokeswoman Kyriaki Lambrianidou told the CyBC.

The as-yet unidentified individuals broke in with offensive instruments, such as bats, and proceeded to wreak havoc, causing extensive damage to the premises.

The attack on the six people present inside was unprovoked, Lambrianidou said.

Three were injured, two men aged 30 and 33, as well as a 68-year-old woman. They were taken to the Nicosia general hospital where they received first aid and were discharged.

The area was cordoned off and witness evidence was taken. Nicosia CID is investigating.

Elsewhere, police reported the arrest of a woman for insulting officers outside the stadium.

The woman, aged 44, was arrested ahead of the match, first for public insults against members of the force and public disturbance, and subsequently for resisting her arrest, police said.

She was charged in writing and released, and was due to appear before the Nicosia District court on Monday morning for the case against her to be registered.

A car window was also damaged with the owner filing a complaint at 7pm, and an usher was attacked.

Before the match hooligans had gathered to lob stones at passing vehicles, police said, which had damaged the car. By the time police arrived they had dispersed.

Shortly before the end of the match, Apoel supporters in the south stands, broke through barriers and moved towards Omonia fans, seated in the east stands. The police intervened and successfully restored order.

Order was also effectively restored after the end of the match in the area of the Nuevo Campo football academy on the other side of the highway where fans of the two teams had been pelting each other with rocks.

Riot police took control of the situation, dispersing the crowd by “partial use” of the force’s water cannon vehicle, police said.

An usher was injured during the course of the match, when while attempting to pick up an item, also in the south stands, he was assaulted by a man who beat him in the face and chest.

The usher was taken to Nicosia general hospital to receive first aid and was discharged.

Police also said they had intercepted suspicious persons in possession of spray cans who ran off when they saw the officers approaching.

Source: Cyprus Mail