With its announcement, Omonia refers to the bomb attack against the family of referee Menelaus Antoniou, noting that the scene, which is now a norm for Cypriot football, should offend and cause shame to all those in charge.
At the same time, the greens note that the referee in question had a very good presence in this year’s matches and emphasize that “we do not want to believe that he became a target because he did not follow what the perpetrators asked him to follow. That is, he was punished not for something he did, but for something he refused to do.”
Omonia’s announcement:
The new attack, which appears to be targeting Cypriot refereeing again, is yet another brutal blow to the terror-stricken Cypriot football. Even worse, this time the target was a member of the referee’s family, which raises doubts about where the perpetrators will ultimately stop when we mourn the victims?
We have stood up several times for this kind of sad incidents and we have called on the State and the Police to do the obvious, that is, to investigate the cases, to bring to justice those involved and to protect the citizens of the Republic of Cyprus. Unfortunately, beyond promises, wishes and words, we have seen absolutely nothing of substance, absolutely nothing in the right direction.
The scene, which is now the norm for Cypriot football, should offend and shame all those in charge, whose inaction leaves the field open to anyone who wishes to take the law into their own hands and endanger human lives. lives.
The referee – the victim of the terrorist attack had a very good presence in the games he refereed during this season. And yet he became a target. We do not want to believe that he became a target because he did not follow what the perpetrators asked him to follow. That is, he was punished not for something he did, but for something he refused to do.
Such incidents should not be allowed to intimidate those who have a role to play in the field of Cypriot football. We must all rise to the occasion, reject these practices and help ensure that ethics, values ​​and ideals prevail over terrorism, intimidation and threats.
OMONOIA expresses its absolute support to the referee and his family and strongly stands against any form of violence, wherever and however it comes from. This was, is and will remain our position. With acts.
Once again we are forced to demand what in a normal state should have been given. The State and the Police must investigate this case and, in cooperation with the KOP, take all the necessary measures and proceed with all the necessary actions, so that this is the last time that Cypriot football experiences such sad situations.
