Three charged after violence following Apollon v Apoel match in Limassol

Limassol, Cyprus. Three people were charged on Monday in connection with violence that broke out following Sunday’s Apollon v Apoel football match at Limassol’s Alphamega stadium. Two Apoel supporters were arrested after clashes outside the stadium and were later released pending trial.

Arrests and court proceedings

Two Apoel supporters, aged 23 and 25, were arrested after clashes outside the stadium and appeared in court on Monday. They were charged in writing and released pending trial.

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The court set the hearing for February 19 and barred both men from attending Apoel matches until then.

Clashes outside the stadium

The incidents occurred as Apoel fans were leaving the stadium, when a group allegedly attacked police officers and threw stones. Police responded by deploying a riot control vehicle and spraying water to disperse the crowd.

The two men were arrested on suspicion of public insult and assault on a police officer.

Separate case linked to footage from inside the stadium

In a separate case, a third individual was charged in writing after being identified on video footage throwing a water bottle towards Apoel supporters from a private box in the Apollon stands. He is also accused of making obscene gestures during the incident.

Police said no formal complaint was filed, but the suspect was charged in writing and will be summoned to court at a later stage.

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