Current:Home > NewsSurpassing:Cyprus police vow tougher screening of soccer fans in a renewed effort to clamp down on violence -Ascend Wealth Education
Surpassing:Cyprus police vow tougher screening of soccer fans in a renewed effort to clamp down on violence
SafeX Pro View
Date:2025-04-06 20:48:40
NICOSIA,Surpassing Cyprus (AP) — In a renewed bid to clamp down on violence at soccer games, police in Cyprus said Monday they will step up security screening of fans at stadium entrances, shutter team supporter clubs if necessary and call for matches to either be canceled or halted if safety is compromised.
The announcement of the measures comes just three days after the country’s soccer association banned away fans from all top-flight matches for the remainder of the season following a spate of violent incidents.
Police spokesman Christos Andreou said police will also be empowered to determine fan arrival times in order to give officers ample time to carry out the tougher security screening.
Andreou also referred to an upcoming bill that would mandate the installation of closed circuit TV cameras in all stadiums where top-tier matches are held and give police the authority to carry out drug and alcohol tests prior to matches and prohibit entry to fans found to be under the influence.
The bill also foresees raising the time — up to a decade — that a court can ban fans found guilty of violence-related offenses.
The anti-sports violence steps are part of a wider package of measures aimed at combating organized crime.
Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said the measures in their totality are hardly new but the point is to more effectively implement them with immediate effect.
Violence at soccer matches has triggered players’ union complaints that its members felt their personal safety to be increasingly under risk on and off the field.
Union chief Spyros Neophytides had warned of a possible players’ walkout if no measures are taken.
On Tuesday, a cup match between league leader APOEL Nicosia and Nea Salamina was cut short early in the second half after a firecracker struck a Nea Salamina player
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
veryGood! (7524)
Related
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- How Olivia Culpo Comforted Christian McCaffrey After 49ers' Super Bowl Loss
- MLB power rankings: From 1 to 30, how they stack up entering spring training
- Hilary Swank shares twins' names for first time on Valentine’s Day: 'My two little loves'
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- Steady ascent or sudden splash? North Carolina governor’s race features men who took different paths
- Wayfair’s Presidents' Day Sale Has Black Friday Prices- $1.50 Flatware, $12 Pillows & 69% off Mattresses
- Montana Rep. Rosendale drops US Senate bid after 6 days, citing Trump endorsement of opponent
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Daytona 500 starting lineup set after Daytona Duels go to Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick
Ranking
- Sam Taylor
- US Justice Department sues over Tennessee law targeting HIV-positive people convicted of sex work
- Youth baseball program takes in $300K after its bronze statue of Jackie Robinson is stolen
- Super Bowl 2024 to be powered by Nevada desert solar farm, marking a historic green milestone
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Post-5 pm sunsets popping up around US as daylight saving time nears: Here's what to know
- Kentucky House passes bills allowing new academic roles for Murray State and Eastern Kentucky
- Ex-Illinois lawmaker abruptly pleads guilty to fraud and money laundering, halting federal trial
Recommendation
Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
What's the best restaurant near you? Check out USA TODAY's 2024 Restaurants of the Year.
Driver who injured 9 in a California sidewalk crash guilty of hit-and-run but not DUI
Average long-term US mortgage rate rose this week to 6.77%, highest level in 10 weeks
Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
Montana’s Malmstrom air base put on lockdown after active shooter report
There are more than 300 headache causes. These are the most common ones.
Early detection may help Kentucky tamp down its lung cancer crisis