Sports News | Cyprus'' Justice Minister Lauds Limits on Away Fans at High-risk Games, but Full Ban Preferable
Get latest articles and stories on Sports at LatestLY. The Cyprus soccer association's new limits on the number of fans who can travel with their team to away games are a positive step toward curbing stadium violence, even though the government sought to extend a full ban on travelling supporters, Cyprus' justice minister said Wednesday.
Nicosia (Cyprus), Aug 21 (AP) The Cyprus soccer association's new limits on the number of fans who can travel with their team to away games are a positive step toward curbing stadium violence, even though the government sought to extend a full ban on travelling supporters, Cyprus' justice minister said Wednesday.
Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said the government and law enforcement authorities continue to hold the view that extending the full ban imposed in January is necessary until new amendments to existing laws on fan violence are beefed up and talks between police, teams and fan clubs can come up with a better, more coordinated approach to tackling the problem.
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But, he said the government doesn't want to diminish the Cyprus FA's decision to keep some travelling fan restrictions on what it classifies as “high-risk” games.
“Soccer is a celebration and I say again, this celebration shouldn't turn into a fighting ring, or a war, or a battle that puts lives at risk,” Hartsiotis told the state broadcaster.
On Tuesday, the Cyprus FA said for the upcoming season a maximum of 800 away fans will be allowed in stadiums for contests involving 10 of the first division's 14 teams.
Among those are current champion APOEL Nicosia, crosstown rivals Omonia and perennial favourites Apollonas Limassol, Paphos FC and Anorthosis Famagusta.
For smaller stadiums that can't accommodate 800 away fans, only 10% of seating will be available for visiting team supporters.
The full away supporter ban was imposed following a string of violent incidents that prompted the players' union to threaten a walkout by its members. (AP)
(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)