By Mark Baber
May 27 – The alleged flare thrower, who injured APOEL player Kaka (pictured) during the Cypriot league decider between AEL Limassol and Apoel Nicosia, has been released on bail. Meanwhile APOEL supporters will be holding a march this evening to protest the Cyprus Football Federation (CFA) decision to repeat the game on neutral ground without fans.
The fate of the Cyprus League Championship hangs in the balance. AEL were currently winning the league if the match result had stood as a draw. APOEL will win the league if the match is replayed and they win.
A 25-year-old AEL fan was arrested, despite being pictured wearing a hoodie and sunglasses, after an appeal by police and the offer by AEL’s club president Andreas Sofocleous of a €5,000 reward. The suspect has been released on bail after posting a €10,000 bond and pending another hearing on June 20.
The CFA’s decision to replay the game on neutral ground, without spectators, has been met with dismay by APOEL fans who argue they are clearly not at fault.
A march to the headquarters building of the CFA in Nicosia this evening by members of the APOEL club and fan groups will demand the decision is changed so that the “CFA doesn’t equate the guilty with the innocent,” and allows APOEL fans to attend the match.
It remains to be seen if the crucial match, which had been abandoned with the score standing at 0-0 after 51 minutes, is played again, with or without APOEL supporters, or as some argue should be the case is awarded to APOEL.
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