Nicosia, Cyprus. The legal service said on Friday that attorney-general George Savvides has filed criminal cases against one person and two legal entities at the Nicosia district court over possible irregularities linked to an official from the Cyprus Football Association.
The cases are believed to be connected to an investigation into the conduct of former CFA chairman Giorgos Koumas.
Cases linked to ongoing assessment of investigation findings
The legal service previously confirmed that it was in the final stage of assessing the findings of the investigation. Savvides said on Tuesday that the evaluation was ongoing due to its seriousness and complexity, after investigator Alexandra Lykourgou said her investigation had reached its end.
Investigation followed sports ethics committee report
Lykourgou led the investigation after a report by the sports ethics committee accused Koumas of having competing interests and examined suspected manipulation of sports events, including other offences.
Koumas was accused, among other things, of creating an unfair advantage for some clubs by manipulating money paid to them through television rights deals, and he resigned in June last year after Lykourgou began her investigation.
Allegations over distribution of television rights money
Journalist Fanis Makrides reported in 2023 that some teams received money in violation of agreements in a way that created an unfair advantage in favour of some clubs.
The report included an allegation that money paid to the CFA by CytaVision for television rights to domestic Cypriot football matches was distributed by the CFA, in time and quantity, according to the will of Giorgos Koumas. The accusations also stated that he received CytaVision’s millions from television agreements and sponsorship on behalf of the teams and distributed them as he wanted.
Makrides’ report said there were occasions where CytaVision money was given on Koumas’ instructions in violation of agreements made with the clubs.
Bonus allegation and Koumas resignation statement
Koumas was also accused of granting a €200,000 bonus to one club without reasonable cause, with the allegation stating the bonus was granted while the club was participating in games surrounded by suspicious betting activity.
After resigning, Koumas said he wanted to protect the sport.
What do you think the filing of these cases could mean for governance in Cypriot football?
