GRIGORIS WANTS ANSWERS FROM THE CFA

Dimitris Grigoris has expressed strong concerns regarding the actions of the president of the Cyprus Football Association (CFA), Giorgos Koumas. According to a report by 24sports, the Omonoia representative in the CFA has sent a letter raising key questions on significant matters.

As seen in the letter obtained by our website, Mr. Grigoris highlights a lack of transparency and inadequate communication regarding the federation’s activities, directly attributing this to the CFA president.

Additionally, he seeks justification for why his requests, submitted as a member of the CFA Executive Committee, remain unanswered.

Among these requests is a meeting with the CFA president to discuss various operational aspects, including the federation’s management, financial affairs, the state of futsal, and other administrative matters. He also addresses sponsorship issues and financial audits of the federation.

Below is the full letter from Mr. Grigoris, published in its entirety by 24sports.

MANDATORY TRANSPARENCY IN THE CYPRUS FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION –

PRESIDENT KOUMAS MUST RESPOND

Dear colleagues of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors,

As members of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors, we have both a legal and moral responsibility for the actions of the President and towards all clubs and the wider Cypriot sports community.

I am compelled to address you via this email due to the ongoing lack of transparency and accountability within the Cyprus Football Association (CFA), particularly under the leadership of President George Koumas.

For over a month, I have repeatedly requested a meeting with the President to discuss critical issues regarding the operation of the CFA, such as financial management, the state of FUTSAL, and other operational matters. Despite my efforts, my requests have been met with constant delays, excuses, and avoidance.

This behavior raises serious concerns about the governance of the CFA and whether there is a genuine commitment to transparency and equal access to information for all members of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.

PRESIDENT KOUMAS AVOIDS GIVING EXPLANATIONS – WHY?

Beyond the continuous delays and excuses, President Koumas does not respond to my emails.

In our last meeting, he clearly stated that he “does not respond in writing” and that if I need information, I should call him.

This is not how an institutional Federation should operate. Official communication between members cannot rely solely on private phone conversations without any record, evidence, or transparency.

Reasonable questions arise:

• Why does President Koumas not respond to my emails, knowing that I am requesting information on serious issues?

• Why does he avoid institutional, written updates and insist only on verbal discussions?

• Why is there no process ensuring that all Executive Committee and Board members receive equal information?

When a President avoids providing official explanations, it naturally creates the impression that something is being hidden.

THE 29/01/2025 MEETING – A LAWYER TO LIMIT INFORMATION ACCESS

At the last Executive Committee meeting, President Koumas invited a legal advisor without prior notice to the members, aiming to “interpret” the right to information for Board members.

Instead of an open and transparent discussion, legal “boundaries” were set regarding what we are allowed to know.

If the CFA operates with full transparency, why was a legal advisor needed to explain how much we “are not allowed” to know?

The presence of a lawyer was not meant to enhance transparency but to restrict and limit the right to access information.

THE MEETING WITH MESSINA – THE PRESIDENT’S CONTRADICTORY POSITION

During a previous meeting with President Koumas in his office, I requested to meet with all Federation committees to gain a clearer understanding of their structure and operations.

He stated that I could meet with anyone I wished—except for the President of the Refereeing Committee, Mr. Messina.

His reasoning? Instead of allowing me to meet him, he said Mr. Messina could attend the next Executive Committee meeting to answer any questions.

However:

• At the next Executive Committee meeting, Mr. Messina did not attend.

• Instead, he held a meeting with club presidents.

• When this was pointed out, the response was that we could attend the meeting but without asking questions.

The contradiction is obvious. Why was I denied a meeting with him when a few days later, another meeting was arranged?

Why was I excluded from the information process, and what questions was I not supposed to ask?

THE ABANDONMENT OF FUTSAL – WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE?

As President of the FUTSAL Committee, I have repeatedly requested a meeting with President Koumas to discuss the severe shortcomings and the CFA’s neglect of the sport.

The result? No response.

I am left wondering: Was I appointed Committee President only to fail? What is the purpose of this appointment if the Federation itself has no intention of supporting the sport?

The complete disregard for FUTSAL cannot continue.

I requested to see the sponsorship contract, but to this day, I am still waiting.

THE SCANDALOUS CANCELLATION OF THE CYTA AGREEMENT

Even more serious is the fact that the CFA discussed canceling the agreement with CYTA despite the contract having one more year of validity!

• Why was this discussion held if CYTA had an active contract for another year?

• Who decided that CYTA’s contract should be terminated and a new sponsor sought?

• Was an agreement already in place with Stoiximan before the termination of the CYTA partnership was even discussed?

The CFA handled the sponsorship issue with complete opacity, putting the interests of clubs second and making a decision that deprived teams of significant revenue.

THE STOIXIMAN SPONSORSHIP SCANDAL – WHY WAS THERE NO TRANSPARENT PROCESS?

The sponsorship agreement with Stoiximan remains a “sealed secret” known only to the President, with no information provided to the Executive Committee or the Board of Directors.

The CFA entered into an agreement in January 2024, but no one knew about it until August. There was no prior consultation, no official announcement, and no update.

Unanswered questions remain:

• What is the duration of the sponsorship?

• What is the exact sponsorship amount, and what does the agreement include?

• What are the CFA’s commitments to Stoiximan, and how do they affect the clubs?

• Why was the agreement kept secret for months?

The fact that the agreement was made without allowing other betting companies to submit offers raises serious concerns about transparency and good governance.

• Why did the CFA not issue an official call for interest to all betting companies?

• Why was there no transparent selection process to ensure the highest possible sponsorship for Cypriot football?

• Who made the decision to proceed directly with Stoiximan without seeking greater financial benefit?

The President acted unilaterally, ignoring clubs and teams, leading to a situation where they lose significant revenue.

It is unacceptable for clubs to be forced to comply with commercial agreements they were unaware of, did not approve, and had no involvement in forming.

The CFA must immediately present the sponsorship contract, explain its details, and ensure full transparency in the way the agreement was handled.

CFA FINANCIAL RECORDS – WHY ARE THE AUDITED ACCOUNTS DELAYED?

Another major transparency issue concerns the CFA’s audited financial accounts, which are consistently delayed.

• CFA’s financial records take an average of 14 months to be published—an unacceptable delay for an organisation of this size.

• This year’s financial data is already 10 months overdue and is still not ready.

Why the delay?

In any serious organisation, particularly one managing large sums and sponsorships, financial reports must be published on time with full transparency.

• Why do the top auditing firms in Cyprus and abroad refuse to take on CFA’s financial audit?

• Are there management or transparency issues that deter reputable auditing firms?

The continuous change of auditors and reluctance of major firms to work with the CFA cannot be coincidental.

WE DESERVE IMMEDIATE ANSWERS AND COMMITMENTS

I demand the following immediately:

1. Explanations for the delayed meeting with President Koumas.

2. Commitment that all Executive Committee and Board members will receive full information.

3. Immediate clarification on FUTSAL’s future and its development plan.

4. A reassessment of the decision concentrating power solely in the President’s hands.

5. Explanations regarding the failure to hold the meeting with Mr. Messina and the exclusion of members from the process.

6. A guarantee that CFA will follow transparent procedures in all sponsorship agreements, ensuring full disclosure and participation of all involved parties.

Football is not a personal business. Decisions affecting clubs must be made with full transparency and fairness.