Once again they made things worse in Cyprus! In the early hours of Monday (18/9), unknown persons set fire to the referee’s mother’s car Menelaus Antoniouwith the police investigating, of course, the possibility that the incident is related to football.
The international referee, it is worth noting, officiated the derby between Aris Limassol and Paphos on Sunday. The point is that after the incident, Antonio’s colleagues decided to go on the counterattack and go on indefinite abstinence, with the result that postponed and tonight’s game Nea Salamina-Ethnikos Achnas!
The announcement of the Cyprus Football Federation states:
The Cyprus Football Federation announces that today’s match for the 4th matchday of the Cyta Championship, season 2023/2024, between Nea Salamina and Ethniko Achnas, has been postponed, following the decision of the Elite Category referees to refrain from their duties from today until further notice.
KOP received a letter from the arbitrators, who state that they were led to this decision, due to the repeated attacks they and their families receive and because no case has been resolved by the competent prosecuting authorities.
KOP once again expresses its strong concern about the repeated malicious actions and the creation of terrorism against our arbitration.
Our support for the referees themselves and their families is a given, hoping that through the Police investigations the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
The KOP also informs that it is immediately proceeding to arrange a meeting with the referees, as well as with the competent authorities of the State, to discuss the issues concerning the safety of the referees, with the aim of immediately returning to the fields and their obligations.
Source: Sport Fm
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