Police to assess security for each Maccabi Tel Aviv home game in Limassol

Limassol, Cyprus. Police will assess the security risk of each Maccabi Tel Aviv home game individually, spokesman Vyron Vyronas said on Friday, as Limassol prepares to host the Israeli club’s Euroleague basketball fixtures.

Security planning

“Police have assessed all relevant security parameters and have put in place the necessary operational planning,” Vyronas told the Cyprus Mail.

“Each match will be assessed individually, and security measures will be adjusted according to the circumstances and the relevant risk assessment.”

He said the priority was “the safe conduct of the matches” and the protection of athletes, fans and the wider public. The same case-by-case approach will apply to security measures outside the Spyros Kyprianou arena before each game.

Responsibilities and costs

Police will cover the areas outside the venue, while a private Cypriot company hired by Maccabi will handle security inside.

Vyronas said there was “no question of a foreign police force taking part in the operation”.

The cost of policing has not been disclosed, and police declined to comment on whether Maccabi would cover it.

Spectator arrangements

Up to 4,500 spectators are expected initially, comprising 3,000 Maccabi supporters and 1,500 tickets for Cyprus residents who hold a fan card.

Fixtures against Olympiacos and Panathinaikos may require different arrangements to ensure Maccabi fans are not seated alongside supporters of the Greek teams.