Cyprus Football Update: 4th July 2025

Fidias Panayiotou’s Visit to Northern Cyprus Sparks Political and Public Backlash

Newly elected Member of the European Parliament Fidias Panayiotou has drawn strong criticism after visiting the occupied north of Cyprus to interview Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. The interview, shared publicly online, took place within institutions that the Republic of Cyprus officially classifies as illegal and unrecognised, prompting significant diplomatic and public concern.

Government Response

The Republic of Cyprus reacted promptly. Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis criticised Panayiotou’s actions, warning that they risked giving political legitimacy to the occupying authorities. He also noted the possibility of violating relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

“It is regrettable that a European parliamentarian, elected by the Cypriot people to represent them, engages in actions that—whether intentionally or not—are exploited by the occupying power,” Letymbiotis stated.

The government’s position reflects ongoing concerns that such engagements undermine the Republic’s diplomatic stance and create misleading impressions about the island’s division.

PAEEK Keryneias Responds Strongly

In addition to political condemnation, the move has been met with outrage from community groups. PAEEK Keryneias, the refugee football club originally based in Kyrenia, issued a sharply worded statement denouncing the visit as deeply disrespectful to the thousands displaced in 1974.

The club described the visit to the so-called “presidential palace” of the breakaway regime as a direct insult to the memory of uprooted communities. It argued that such acts trivialise the pain of those affected and risk portraying the ongoing occupation as mere aesthetic or media backdrop.

“The occupation is an open wound,” PAEEK stated. “We will not remain silent. We refuse to see our occupied homeland reduced to a prop in a digital production.”

Larger Questions on Public Responsibility

The incident has reignited debate over the responsibilities of public figures, particularly elected officials, when addressing national sensitivities. While Panayiotou may have intended the visit as a gesture of dialogue, critics say it highlights the disconnect between digital content creation and geopolitical awareness.

The controversy underscores the importance of maintaining awareness of historical context and international legality, especially in regions marked by conflict and division.

Eric Boakye Leaves Aris Limassol for Armenian Champions FC Noah

Ghanaian full-back Eric Boakye has left Aris Limassol to join Armenian champions FC Noah. The move comes shortly after Boakye renewed his contract with Aris through 2026.

Boakye joined the Limassol side in 2022 from Olimpija Ljubljana and became a regular contributor in defence. His tenure included a league title and a Europa League campaign, as well as 77 appearances, four goals, and three assists across all competitions.

Though not a high-profile signing, Boakye provided consistent performances and left the club with a reputation for professionalism and dependability. Aris Limassol issued a brief farewell, thanking the player for his service.

AEK Larnaca Confirm Enric Saborit Signing as Recruitment Picks Up

AEK Larnaca have announced a preliminary agreement with Spanish defender Enric Saborit, who is expected to arrive in Cyprus shortly to finalise the deal. This marks AEK’s second signing in as many days.

Saborit brings significant experience, having come through the Athletic Bilbao academy before playing for Mallorca and spending five seasons at Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he made over 240 appearances. Recent stints include spells in Turkey with Gaziantep FK and in Chile with Club Deportes Iquique.

The 32-year-old joins on a two-year contract. Whether this flurry of signings indicates long-term strategic intent or a push to catch up on delayed planning remains to be seen.

Darly N’Landu Leaves Olympiakos Nicosia After Just 12 Days

Olympiakos Nicosia’s announcement of French midfielder Darly N’Landu has been rendered obsolete just 12 days after its release. The player has since been unveiled by EA Guingamp in Ligue 2.

There has been no official comment from Olympiakos on the matter. The brief stint has raised questions about administrative clarity and planning during the summer transfer period.

PO Achyronas Onisilos Allege Deliberate Sabotage in Strong Statement

PO Achyronas Onisilos have issued a public statement alleging that unnamed parties are attempting to dismantle the club through secretive backroom agreements and targeted pressure.

While the club claims it initially attempted to resolve issues privately, it now intends to escalate the matter both legally and publicly. The statement announced plans to involve the Sotira municipality, the Auditor General, Cyprus Police, and the Ethics Committee.

The escalation points to growing tension between smaller clubs and decision-making bodies, particularly around transparency and governance.

Cytavision to Assign Commentators Independently for Football Broadcasts

Starting this season, television broadcaster Cytavision will be solely responsible for appointing match commentators for fixtures under its broadcasting rights. The Cyprus Football Association (CFA) will no longer have influence over these assignments.

While seemingly a procedural change, the move comes against a backdrop of long-standing concerns regarding bias and media control. Observers have interpreted the shift as a corrective step towards greater independence in match-day coverage.

Savvidis Red Notice Allegations Resurface Concerns Over Football Integrity

In a May 2023 parliamentary session, Charis Savvidis—former secretary of the Ethics and Sports Protection Committee—revealed that UEFA issued 16 red notices between January 2019 and mid-2020, contradicting CFA claims that no such notices existed.

Savvidis later suggested that the issue extended beyond isolated match-fixing incidents, pointing instead to a broader network of systemic corruption. He also questioned UEFA’s transparency, implying the organisation may have been reluctant to act in order to protect commercial broadcasting arrangements.

The revelations have reignited concerns about the integrity of domestic football and the allocation of state funds through broadcasting deals, especially as CytaVision is a state-owned platform.

Karmiotissa Appoint Buyss as Head Coach While Demosthenous Quietly Returns

Karmiotissa have named Fangio Buyss as their new head coach ahead of the 2025/26 Second Division season. This marks the club’s 18th managerial appointment since 2019, underscoring ongoing instability in the technical area.

Buyss is well-acquainted with the Cypriot league, having previously managed Doxa, Enosis Neon Paralimni, and Olympiakos Nicosia. His reputation for maximising limited resources may prove essential in his latest role.

In parallel, former club president Stavros Demosthenous has quietly returned to his post, just weeks after stepping down to explore a campaign for the Cyprus FA presidency. His return came without announcement or explanation.

Demosthenous made headlines last season after accusing football authorities of unfair treatment, claiming Karmiotissa’s relegation was politically motivated. Meanwhile, club director Giannis Violaris received disciplinary action after cutting a goal net during a decisive match.

Omonoia Receives ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Certification

Omonoia Nicosia has announced that it has been awarded ISO 37001 certification, a global standard for anti-bribery management systems. Club president Marios Argyridis presented the certificate during the club’s General Assembly on July 2, positioning Omonoia as the first Cypriot football club to receive the recognition.

ISO 37001 provides a framework for detecting and preventing bribery across organisational structures, including third-party dealings. While the certification is largely self-reporting and requires the club to fund the audit process, it is nonetheless viewed as a significant step.

Club owner Stavros Papastavrou issued a statement positioning the achievement as a milestone in transparency and governance. The announcement comes amid ongoing legal disputes involving defamation and contract disagreements, raising questions about timing and narrative control.

Makareio Stadium Closure Leaves Ethnikos Assias in Limbo

Refugee club Ethnikos Assias faces eviction from Makareio Stadium following a KOA directive citing safety concerns. Former club president Antonis Mavris accused the Cyprus Sports Organisation of failing to honour earlier commitments to construct a replacement venue for refugee clubs.

Speaking on SPOR FM 95.0, Mavris said recent renovations to dressing rooms at Makareio were completed just before the eviction order. KOA later issued a statement refuting his claims and cited official reports indicating the stadium is unsafe for competitive fixtures, though not necessarily for training.

Ethnikos now plans to play at PAEEK’s ground, although the move is considered temporary. The incident reflects broader frustrations over infrastructure and support for displaced clubs in the Cypriot football ecosystem.

Pafos Sign Bruno Langa on Loan from Almería

Pafos FC have signed Mozambican international Bruno Langa on loan from UD Almería. The 27-year-old left-back brings nearly 150 senior appearances across Portugal and Spain, along with 23 international caps for Mozambique.

Langa joins as a replacement for Jonathan Silva, who returned to Getafe after his loan spell. He will wear the number 25 shirt this season.

Anorthosis Take Transfer Ban Fight to CAS as Squad Plans Stall

Anorthosis Famagusta are heading to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a desperate bid to overturn the FIFA-imposed transfer ban that has derailed their summer recruitment plans and left their squad-building process in limbo.

After initially receiving clearance to resume player signings, the club’s hopes were quickly dashed when FIFA reinstated the ban — this time with additional restrictions, including a block on access to the online player registration system. Effectively, Anorthosis are now barred not only from signing players, but from even inputting names into the platform. It’s the footballing equivalent of being banned from a buffet and having your plate confiscated for good measure.

The ban stems from a longstanding financial dispute with Portuguese winger Hélder Ferreira, although according to a report by Goal.philenews.com, Ferreira has since confirmed in writing that he has been fully compensated. His written statement was included in Anorthosis’ appeal documents to CAS, alongside a request for a temporary suspension of the ban while the case is reviewed.

In the interim ruling request, the club essentially asked: can we register players while you sort this out? A reasonable plea — particularly given the scale of planning already underway. Anorthosis have reportedly reached agreements with sixteen new signings, all currently ineligible to play. Unless CAS rules in their favour, the team may be forced to rely solely on players from last season’s roster — including foreign players who are out of contract but have yet to officially join another club.

Whether CAS grants the interim relief depends largely on FIFA’s response. If the governing body does not oppose the request, there is a realistic chance Anorthosis will be allowed to proceed with registrations while the case is pending. The final decision, however, is not expected until later in the season.

Despite the setback, the mood within the club is described as cautiously optimistic. Club officials remain confident that the matter will be resolved favourably, insisting that Anorthosis have fulfilled their obligations and are being unfairly punished for past issues that have since been addressed.

Still, the situation remains a stark example of how off-pitch challenges can define an entire pre-season. With legal teams working overtime and CAS now effectively part of the transfer strategy, Anorthosis find themselves navigating a summer where paperwork matters more than pre-season friendlies.

The club may yet emerge from this saga with their squad intact — but until then, the only formation they can guarantee is a legal one.