Attack in Cyprus on hosting Maccabi Tel Aviv: "Simply absurd"

A scathing editorial in the Cyprus Mail attacks the Cypriot government's decision to allow Maccabi Tel Aviv to host Euroleague games in Limassol. The writers warn of security implications, strain on the police, and costs to taxpayers, demanding that President Christodoulides explain the decision.

A scathing editorial published on the Cypriot news site Cyprus Mail attacks the Cypriot government's decision to allow Maccabi Tel Aviv to host its home Euroleague games at the Spyros Kyprianou Arena in Limassol. The writers warn of security implications, especially given the tensions between Israel and Turkey and the concern over games against Turkish teams. They question the ability of the Cypriot police to secure more than a dozen games over the season, noting that its track record in dealing with disorder at local football games is not particularly successful. The issue of funding is at the heart of the criticism: the writers wonder who will bear the security costs and whether the Cypriot taxpayer will be required to fund the preparations. The article calls on the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, to explain to the public how the decision was made, and states that hosting all the home games of the Israeli team is "simply absurd."