ANORTHOSIS CRISIS DEEPENS

Petros Dimitriou, the representative for Russian investors interested in acquiring Anorthosis, has delivered a harsh critique of the club’s (now former) leadership.

He began with a striking metaphor: “The patient goes into surgery, and it remains to be seen if they can survive.”

Dimitriou explained his involvement began in early June after the president recommended him as a mediator between the investors and the club. A joint conference was held with organised fan groups, the Board of Directors, and three company representatives. The goal was to be persuasive while maintaining discretion to avoid destabilising the club’s administration and jeopardising the investor negotiations.

Despite efforts to keep a low profile, a photo of the interested parties in the official Anorthosis private box during games against AEL and Apollon was leaked. Following a meeting between the Board of Directors and the investors, Dimitriou met with the president on August 29th to discuss the proposal, where it was confirmed that the board was in agreement. However, an emergency meeting on September 3rd resulted in the collective resignation of the board, leaving the club’s debt still substantial.

Dimitriou expressed his willingness to help, though he had no desire for a position of power. Negotiations stalled in August due to these leaks, but efforts continued to keep investor interest alive. The investors officially expressed their interest, and Anorthosis had met their basic requirements. However, the club’s financial instability remained a concern, with budget figures ranging from €7-13 million being speculated.

He highlighted inconsistencies during the negotiations, noting that different budget figures were presented to the investors, creating confusion and distrust. Additionally, while the board raised nearly €1.3 million from supporters to save Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium, there has been no significant action to generate income for the club beyond these campaigns.

Dimitriou also criticised the administrative instability at Anorthosis, pointing out that if four board members resign, the entire board must step down, according to the club’s statute. He accused previous administrations of crimes that have led to the current liquidity problems, stating that the issue isn’t with fundraising efforts but with the club’s mindset towards investors.

He referenced past incidents where potential investors like Papastavrou and Savvidis were driven away and warned that the Russian investors might withdraw their interest soon. Dimitriou concluded by stating that this withdrawal would likely be communicated to Anorthosis in the near future.

As for the current situation, Dimitriou shared that he had been in contact with investors who were prepared to move forward, but the resignation of the Board of Directors and the absence of clear communication have caused significant damage to the club. He expressed concern over the lack of professionalism and the impact this instability could have on the future of Anorthosis. Despite these challenges, Dimitriou remains cautiously optimistic, hoping to see the situation improve.