CFA and PASP Clash Over Treatment of Women’s National Team

A public dispute has escalated between the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) and the Pancyprian Footballers’ Association (PASP), centred around claims of unequal treatment towards the Women’s National Team. The debate intensified following a statement from the CFA responding to an earlier PASP announcement that criticised discriminatory practices within Cypriot football.

CFA Defends Its Record

In its statement, the CFA accused PASP of acting against the interests of Women’s Football and the National Teams, particularly during a crucial period ahead of official matches. The CFA alleged that PASP has repeatedly caused unrest and even cited past attempts to instigate a strike within the Men’s National Team.

The CFA defended its support of the women’s team, outlining recent improvements including:

• Upgraded training conditions

• Enhanced travel arrangements

• Equal training equipment as the men’s team

• Flexible training schedules to accommodate professional obligations

• Direct engagement with the National Guard to assist female players in service

• Significant increases in player allowances

• Delivery of new training and match kits, set to be used from Monday, 26 May

Furthermore, the CFA highlighted that the annual budget for the women’s and youth national teams exceeds €600,000, far more than the federation’s revenue from women’s football. It also clarified that its reference in Parliament to over 800 female players includes all age groups, from U11 to the senior level.

The CFA expressed disappointment that the Men’s National Team captains—who supported the women’s claims—did not consult with the federation before making public comments.

PASP Refutes Claims, Demands Equality

PASP quickly issued a counter-statement rejecting the CFA’s assertions and reaffirming the concerns raised by the Women’s National Team captains. The players had earlier accused the CFA of providing misleading and incomplete information to Parliament, detailing disparities in pay, travel arrangements, and equipment.

They noted that despite UEFA funding, female players were given second-hand kits, forced to travel under harsh conditions, and received significantly less match compensation compared to their male counterparts.

PASP underlined that equality should not be measured in vague improvements but in concrete actions, stating:

“We hope the day will come when the CFA issues a statement in which phrases like ‘have improved’, ‘have been arranged’, and ‘have increased’ are replaced with ‘are equal’.”

The players further criticised the fact that new kits will only be introduced in the upcoming match—part of the 5th and penultimate fixture of the group stage—confirming that the team had been playing in used kits for the past six months.

Growing Calls for Transparency and Change

The exchange has reignited broader conversations about gender equality in sport, with PASP and the women’s national team pushing for transparency, fair compensation, and respect. The football community now awaits the CFA’s next move amid increasing public scrutiny.

As both national teams prepare for upcoming fixtures, the dispute underscores a growing demand for reform—not just in infrastructure, but in institutional attitudes towards women’s football in Cyprus.