A New Era at the CFA: Charis Loizides Takes the Helm

A fresh chapter began for the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) as Charis Loizides was officially elected President during an Extraordinary General Assembly. His election marks a potential turning point for Cypriot football, as the new leadership attempts to rebuild trust and credibility within a federation long plagued by controversy and public mistrust.

Loizides, who will serve for the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 seasons, didn’t waste time outlining his vision. In his inaugural address, he called the moment “a new beginning” and laid out a reform programme structured around two strategic pillars: institutional modernisation and public trust restoration.

Institutional Overhaul – At Long Last?

The first pillar of his plan focuses on dragging the CFA out of its archaic practices and into something resembling a 21st-century organisation. Key initiatives include:

• Appointing a Chief Executive Officer to handle the operational running of the federation – a move long overdue.

• Redistributing roles and responsibilities across committees to prevent the usual bottlenecks and inaction.

• Setting up functional committees with measurable objectives rather than just names on a letterhead.

• A long-awaited strategic reset for the national teams, especially after years of underachievement.

• Launching targeted development programmes to support Cypriot footballers – a nod to the ever-growing dominance of foreign players.

• Engaging in structured dialogue with clubs to reform and modernise domestic competitions.

• Perhaps most crucially, a complete overhaul of the refereeing system, with a focus on independence and meritocracy – music to the ears of fans who have grown numb to scandal.

• And yes, even the CFA’s own constitution is getting a facelift, including a proposed two-term limit for the presidency to end the culture of lifetime appointments.

Rebuilding Trust – Beyond the Stadium Walls

The second pillar? Restoring the CFA’s image and reconnecting with the people. After years of detachment from fans and clubs alike, Loizides wants to reposition football as a unifying force for Cypriot society.

This means:

• Revamping the CFA’s press office to prioritise transparency and accountability.

• Forging partnerships with government bodies, municipalities, and grassroots organisations.

• Working with state authorities to tackle the ugly undercurrent of violence in football grounds.

• And promoting the game not just as entertainment, but as a tool for social cohesion and economic development.

A Different Kind of President?

Loizides struck a collaborative tone in his closing remarks, stressing that the CFA must serve the collective, not the few. He asked for time – not to make excuses, but to implement real change – and promised that when the time comes, the public should hold him and his team “strictly but fairly” accountable.

The presence of UEFA and FIFA officials at the Assembly added a layer of legitimacy to the occasion, but the real test begins now. Loizides inherits an institution that’s lost the faith of many, and despite the polished speech and ambitious blueprint, the road ahead will be defined not by words, but by execution.

Time will tell whether this is truly a new era – or just another new face at the top of the same old system.