The football championship begins. The most popular sport, often referred to as the “king of sports” – and rightfully so – captures the attention of a large part of society. This is true in almost all countries, so it’s not solely a Cypriot phenomenon.
This weekend, the championship kicks off, and beyond the competitive aspect, there are several other important factors, such as the crucial issue of safety, which is undoubtedly of utmost importance. The priority in this matter is prevention, and this can be achieved if the right measures are taken. This requires planning, coordination, and collaboration among all involved parties.
This year, it has been decided that there will be an allowance for the movement of fans from the away team. This change came after the Police altered their stance, and it reflects the fact that all parties involved will take responsibility for their respective roles.
The Police, as has been made known, sent a letter warning the Federation that no match will take place if there is no safety certificate for the stadium and if the required measures are not implemented. This applies to both the stadiums and the supervision of the fans, as well as all related issues.
The positive development is that the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) has responded positively to all of this, stepped back from its initial position on the movement of fans, and set a cap on the number of away team supporters for high-risk matches.
Of course, for these measures to be effective and for football matches to take place in a safe environment for everyone, all stakeholders must meet their responsibilities.
This includes the Police, the Federation, the clubs, and the fans. Most fans cooperate and avoid extreme behaviour, but there are those who engage in disruptive incidents. These individuals must be isolated from the rest of the fans.
Those who misbehave should be punished as an example, with a ban on entering stadiums (which is the bare minimum).
Sporting events should be a celebration. Competition takes place on the pitch. Although football globally involves significant amounts of money, this is not a reason for violence. Especially when violence is caused by those who claim to be “pure fans.”
So, the championship begins. All the key players must collectively and individually contribute to ensuring a championship free from violence.
