Match scandal: Parliamentary candidate arrested for assaulting referee

A scandal has erupted in Cyprus following an incident at a football match: a 38-year-old man, who is on the electoral list of a political party in Limassol, has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting an assistant referee.

The incident occurred during a game between Rotsidis Mammari and APOP Parekklisia as part of the STOK championship.

According to police data, towards the end of the match, an unidentified individual threw a plastic bottle that struck the assistant referee. At that moment, a second participant in the incident — allegedly a parliamentary candidate — ran onto the field and punched the referee.

The match was immediately abandoned. The victim was taken to Larnaca General Hospital, where he received medical treatment; he was discharged after an examination.

The detainee will appear before the Larnaca District Court, where the issue of his remand will be considered.

Law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the incident. The event has caused a significant stir, given the involvement of an individual linked to the election campaign.