Gate-9

Gate-9
Founded 25 October 1992
Type Ultras
Team AC Omonia
Location Pallouriotissa Nicosia
Arena GSP Stadium
Stand North Stand
Website http://gate9.com.cy/

Gate-9 (Greek:Θύρα 9) is a Cypriot fans' group that supports the sports team AC Omonia.

History

Gate 9 was established on the 25th of October in 1992, in Nicosia. The group was seated under the main clock of the Makario Stadium and later at the North stand.[1] Today it is seated at the North stand of the GSP Stadium.[2]

Popularity and Ideology

Omonia is one of the most popular teams in Cyprus.[3][4] Omonia supporters are traditionally left wing. A 2009 gallop poll estimated that three out of four Omonia fans vote for the Progressive Party of Working People.[5] Gate-9 members are associated with communist beliefs and have been noted for waving banners bearing Che Guevara's portrait, and other communist symbols.[6] The group, besides Nicosia, has fan clubs in Limassol, [7] Larnaka[8] and Paphos.[9]

Violence

The group often engages in violent clashes with members of police or supporters of other teams. In November 2009 the group was involved in clashes with fans of local rivals APOEL FC that resulted in a serious injury of an APOEL fan.[10] A basketball match in January 2012 was interrupted by the group entering the pitch.[11] In March 2012 after a football match the group caused damage to the GSP Stadium and injured 11 policemen.[12] Another football match was interrupted by clashes between the group and Anorthosis Famagusta fans in June 2013.[13] Violent clashes between the group and Anorthosis fans occurred at a volleyball match in March 2014 which resulted in 11 members of the group being arrested.[14] Violent encounters occurred at the coastal city of Larnaca on the 22nd of July, between fans of Jagiellonia Białystok and Cypriots. Jagiellonia would face Omonia the next day for the Europa League qualifications. It was strongly hinted on social media by Gate 9 members that the group was involved in the clashes.[15]

External links

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, February 12, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.