It is misleading to focus solely on the violent incidents on Thursday night in Limassol as having purely a fan-related character. Such a perspective and framing of events suits many. In every similar case, the hypocrisy of the authorities - and of those who serve each government - becomes apparent, as they come afterwards to observe a phenomenon for which, as usual, they avoid taking any responsibility. We are tired of constantly stating the obvious: that this violence, the attack of one group of supporters against another, is not simply another instance of fan misbehaviour. It is a phenomenon that may subside temporarily but ultimately resurfaces, unhindered, and even grows. Unfortunately, we are obliged to repeat the obvious: the failure of institutions to contribute to changing a harsh reality.
This form of violence, as it appeared shortly after midnight on Thursday, will not be eradicated unless the causes that sustain and fuel it are addressed. It is not our intention to comment on the social dimension of every such incident. The necessary institutional mechanisms to provide solutions and mitigate extreme situations are absent. When, therefore, the state cannot inspire, others - groups of young people organised in various clubs, primarily in “organised armies” - step in to offer a sense of identity, albeit in a distorted collective form.
At the same time, it should be noted that these so-called clubs, which operate with the tolerance of the state and its authorities, are in no way trustworthy, and no one takes legal responsibility on their behalf.
The state, of course, is absent not only in preventative efforts but also in acting proactively to avoid disturbances, conflicts, and destruction. Clearly, we ask too much of a repeatedly failing police Force, which is limited to issuing statements and admonishments afterwards. In short, prevention remains a theoretical concept, strategy is fragmented, and the outcome is predictable.