Nicosia, Cyprus. Former Cyprus Football Association chairman Giorgos Koumas was released on Thursday on €100,000 bail following the first hearing in a criminal case alleging money laundering and conflicts of interest. He faces 25 charges linked to the sale of football television rights and related financial dealings.
Proceedings and next hearing
The court adjourned Thursday’s hearing to allow witness material to be provided. The next hearing is scheduled for May 6.
Investigation and filing of charges
An investigation into Koumas’ conduct was led by Alexandra Lykourgou and followed a report by the sports ethics committee, which accused him of having “competing interests” and referenced investigations into suspected manipulation of sports events, including other offences. When the investigation was nearing completion earlier this month, attorney-general George Savvides announced the filing of criminal charges.
Allegations related to television rights distribution
Koumas was accused, among other things, of creating an “unfair advantage” for some clubs by manipulating payments made to them as part of television rights deals. Journalist Fanis Makrides reported in 2023 that some teams “received money in violation of agreements … in such a way as to create an unfair advantage in favour of some clubs.”
Among the allegations is 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 state that he received CytaVision funds from television agreements and sponsorship on behalf of the teams and distributed them as he wanted, and that on some occasions CytaVision money was given on his instructions in violation of agreements made with clubs, according to Makrides’ report.
Bonus allegation and resignation
Koumas was also accused of granting a €200,000 bonus to one club “without reasonable cause”, with the bonus allegedly granted while the club was participating in games surrounded by “suspicious betting activity”. He resigned in June last year after Lykourgou began her investigation and said at the time that he wanted to protect the sport.
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