Plans by GSO to bring first division football back to Limassol’s historic Tsirion Stadium have been postponed indefinitely after a report by the Limassol District Local Government Organisation (EOA) classified the facility as a dangerous structure.
While all eyes had been on the decision of the Stadium Licensing Authority, the EOA report has brought both new and longstanding problems back to the surface, creating uncertainty over whether they can be resolved quickly enough for Tsirion to obtain a licence.
The Stadium Licensing Authority met on Monday afternoon, when the EOA report was presented to it for the first time. The findings effectively classify Tsirion as a dangerous structure.
More specifically, on 7 August, a team of EOA engineers carried out an on-site inspection of Tsirion Stadium and prepared a visual inspection report of the existing structure.
The report was completed only in recent days, with its findings sent first to the Stadium Licensing Authority and then yesterday to GSO.
According to the findings, Tsirion Stadium should be classified as a dangerous structure, with separate classifications for its two stands.
The west stand is in better condition and has been categorised as a Category B Dangerous Structure.
The situation is considerably worse in the east stand, which has been classified as a Category C Dangerous Structure and therefore deemed unsuitable.
The east stand in particular has extensive problems involving detached concrete and deterioration, primarily affecting its lower tier and the facilities beneath it, including the match changing rooms.
Taking the report’s findings into account, the Stadium Licensing Authority did not issue a licence for first division football matches.
It is now awaiting further responses from GSO’s engineers, who will have to discuss the problems and identify solutions in consultation with the EOA so that the dangerous condition can be addressed.
The Stadium Licensing Authority was, however, satisfied with the other works carried out at the venue, including the CCTV system and related improvements.
According to information obtained by Politis, the GSO board is scheduled to meet today to examine the new developments and decide how to proceed.
There is disappointment within GSO, where officials believe they have completed everything required of them. They are now looking to the state for financial assistance that would allow them to proceed with the structural restoration of the stands as a whole.
No provision for concerts and other events
One of the more paradoxical aspects of the case is that, under existing legislation, there is no obstacle to other events being held at Tsirion Stadium.
Major concerts, athletics competitions and football matches in other divisions can continue to be staged at the venue, without any restrictions on spectator numbers.
What cannot currently take place is a first division football match, since such fixtures require a licence from the Stadium Licensing Authority.
