Fan arrested after assistant referee assaulted at lower-league match in Cyprus

Larnaca, Cyprus. Police said they arrested a fan after an incident of violence at a lower-league football match on Saturday left an assistant referee needing medical attention.

Incident at knockout promotion match

The match was between Rotsides Mammari and Apop Parekklisias.

Police said that towards the end of the game an unknown person threw a plastic bottle that hit the assistant referee, and that a second person then ran onto the pitch and punched the same official.

The referee was taken by ambulance to Larnaca general hospital, examined by doctors, and released.

Arrest and court proceedings

Police later arrested a 38-year-old from Limassol after an arrest warrant was issued against him.

He is expected to be taken to Larnaca district court later on Sunday for a remand hearing.

Match abandoned pending organiser decision

The game, part of a knockout contest for promotion to the lowest Cyprus Football Association division, did not continue.

Rotsides Mammari was ahead 1-0 at 90+5 minutes, and a decision on the result is pending from the league organiser.

What measures do you think should be taken to prevent violence at football matches?