Man banned from sports venues over weapon at football match

The Larnaca district court issued a six-month ban from sports venues to an 18-year-old on Monday, following a case involving possession of a weapon found during a security check at a football match between Anorthosis and AEK in August.

The football match took place on Sunday, August 11, at the ‘Antonis Papadopoulos’ stadium in Larnaca. Ten minutes before the game’s 7pm kickoff, a security check at the entrance revealed a metal collapsible baton in the possession of the then-17-year-old, leading to his arrest for a flagrant offence.

The youth was taken to the Larnaca police station, where, after questioning, he was charged in writing and released two hours later.

The next day, the case was filed with the Larnaca district court. The then-minor appeared before the court and admitted to the offence.

The court scheduled a sentencing hearing for September 23. In the meantime, a temporary ban from sports venues was issued against the individual until the case was concluded.

On Monday, the court issued the 18-year-old a six-month ban from sports venues, effective from August 12, when the temporary order was first issued.

Additionally, it sentenced him to two years of community service, totalling 100 hours, starting from September 23.