Police interventions and violence during weekend football matches in Cyprus

Over the weekend of September 5-6, 2026, Cypriot police mobilized hundreds of officers to secure high-risk football matches, including Apollon vs. Anorthosis in Limassol and APOEL vs. AEL in Nicosia. Despite the deployment of anti-riot units, water cannons, and drones, violent incidents occurred during the APOEL-AEL match at the GSP Stadium. Before the match, police arrested a drunken fan carrying a flare and prevented clashes between rival supporter groups. Firefighters were also dispatched to extinguish a small brush fire set near the stadium.

Following the APOEL-AEL game, further violence resulted in injuries to a police officer and a 10-year-old girl who was struck by a battery thrown from the stands. Authorities arrested at least one suspect linked to the child's injury, while two other fans were barred from entering the stadium for damaging security fencing. Police remain on high alert as they investigate these incidents and review security protocols following the widespread unrest surrounding these matches.