Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Giorgos Koukoumas

Punishing all fans is absurd and anti-democratic

27 January 2024, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The measures announced by the Christodoulides government on the violence in sports grounds/stadiums constitute a confession of its own failure. The logic of punishing all fans in the country because the authorities are unable to deal with the violence in sports arenas is illogical and undemocratic.

When, by the Justice Minister’s own admission, the authorities had information about these incidents ten days ago but ended up with the recent shameful incidents, then what is lacking is not rigour, but competence and effectiveness. After all, the government – current and former – has the tools of the 2014 legislation and the notorious fan card at its disposal, even though we had our own objections. Consequently, either their legislation was unenforceable in the first place, or the government ruling forces are incapable of enforcing it, or both.

Violence in sports venues/stadiums is a social phenomenon that demands horizontal prevention and education policies, not just repressive policies that have failed anyway.

27.01.2024