The ongoing legal proceedings against APOEL Nicosia over unpaid contributions to the Social Insurance Fund have escalated into a heated public dispute between the football club and Cyprus’ Minister of Labour, Yiannis Panayiotou. Court Case Overview APOEL directors appeared before the Nicosia District Court over €2.3M in unpaid social insurance contributions from 2020-2022, with additional debts pushing the total to over €4.3M. Panayiotou confirmed that legal proceedings are standard enforcement measures for unpaid obligations, emphasising the government’s commitment to equal treatment under the law. APOEL’s Reaction APOEL issued strongly worded statements accusing the Minister of targeting the club for political gain. The club claimed the figures cited by the Minister were inaccurate and criticised his public comments on an ongoing case as unethical and inflammatory. APOEL insists it is working on long-term, feasible repayment plans while pointing out that similar debts are widespread among other Cypriot football clubs. Minister’s Response Panayiotou defended his statements, highlighting the importance of enforcing the law and protecting public interest. He reported receiving threats and abusive messages following APOEL’s public backlash, attributing these to the club’s leadership. While acknowledging that naming APOEL in his comments may have been unnecessary, the Minister stood by his decision to address the issue publicly. Broader Implications The dispute highlights broader systemic issues within Cypriot football, where clubs collectively owe the state €35M in taxes. APOEL argued that football’s share of national tax debt is negligible compared to other sectors, calling for a more balanced public discourse. With tensions running high and legal proceedings ongoing, the case underscores the challenges of balancing financial accountability, public perception, and the role of influential institutions in Cypriot society. Further updates are expected as the court resumes proceedings and APOEL’s repayment proposals are reviewed. Post navigation MANTZIOS TAKES CYPRUS HELM