Pipe bomb attack on Cyprus referees office

A PIPE bomb exploded outside the offices of the Cyprus referees association earlier today, police have confirmed.

The referees' office in Nicosia was attacked. Picture: Getty

It is the second such attack on the building in the past month, a spokesman said.

The small density explosive caused minor damage outside the office block in Nicosia around 3.30am local time (0030 GMT).

A fire bomb was recently thrown at the home of an assistant referee in the town of Limassol.

There have been no arrests relating to either incident.

Football in Cyprus occasionally experiences violent outbursts, with referees regularly targeted.

Earlier this year, a bomb exploded, damaging the car of a prominent international referee and head of the association, leading to the postponement of matches for a weekend after a boycott by officials.