Omonoia’s PR Crisis: When the “People’s Team” Turns on Its People

For a club whose anthem proudly refers to itself as the “People’s Team”, Omonoia Nicosia finds itself embroiled in yet another public relations disaster — this time for alienating its core fanbase.

At the heart of the latest fallout is Omonoia24, a widely-followed, unofficial supporters’ news portal that has long served as a key source of updates, analysis, and opinion for over 27,000 fans on Facebook. With higher engagement levels than the club’s official site, Omonoia24 has been a go-to voice for the green faithful, despite often being criticised for its perceived alignment with club president Stavros Papastavrou.

However, the tone shifted dramatically on April 4th when the site published a scathing editorial questioning the club’s sporting leadership, particularly its continued faith in Strategic Advisor-turned-caretaker-manager Giannis Anastasiou. The article accused the club of poor planning, non-football-driven transfer decisions, and internal disorganisation — claims that resonated with a growing chorus of frustrated fans.

Just five days later, with the eternal derby against APOEL looming, club press officer Andreas Demetriou used his weekly appearance on Sport FM 95.0 to publicly condemn the site, accusing it of launching a disrespectful and deliberate campaign to undermine the club and its staff for clicks. While the club claimed to welcome constructive criticism, it drew a firm line against what it viewed as targeted attacks.

The backlash was immediate. Fans rallied behind Omonoia24, seeing the club’s move as a tone-deaf attempt to silence legitimate supporter concerns. The timing of the attack, just before a major derby, only added to perceptions of mismanagement and a disconnect between the boardroom and the terraces.

Omonoia24 quickly responded, defending its right to critique and reiterating its long-standing support for the club. It dismissed claims of a personal agenda, emphasising that its criticisms stemmed from concern, not malice. The editorial team also questioned the wisdom of airing grievances publicly days before a crucial match, suggesting the club was fuelling division rather than fostering unity.

But the storm didn’t stop there.

A supporters’ group, Green Uprising, issued an explosive open letter condemning what it described as a “toxic” leadership culture. The statement singled out Demetris Grigoris, recently reappointed as the club’s CFA representative, alleging he operates with unchecked influence and treats Omonoia like his personal business. Allegations ranged from favouritism in player management to financial conflicts of interest, including a claim that Grigoris owns the car rental firm used exclusively by foreign players at inflated prices.

The group further criticised the club’s disregard for past icons, suppression of dissenting fans, and chaotic sporting structure — highlighting the prolonged absence of a head coach and the sidelining of experienced staff members. Their message was unequivocal: enough is enough.

This latest saga compounds what has already been a turbulent season for the Nicosia giants. A promising start — featuring Conference League progression and strong early domestic form — quickly unravelled. The mid-season sacking of Valdas Dambrauskas, questionable transfer activity, and a run of inconsistent results have seen fan confidence plummet.

Despite a brief resurgence, many supporters remain unconvinced that the club is on the right path. Longstanding concerns around transparency, professionalism, and strategic planning remain unanswered. The January departures of key players like Omer Atzili, Adam Lang and Veljko Simic — replaced with underwhelming signings — only deepened fan discontent.

What has emerged is not just frustration over footballing results but a deeper crisis of trust. Supporters are demanding clarity, respect, and meaningful change. Questions flood social media: Where is the new coach? What are the long-term plans? How will the club rebuild its image and structure?

The fallout with Omonoia24 may have triggered the loudest alarm yet. By targeting a fan platform that many view as their voice, the club risks isolating itself further from its base. For a team that prides itself on being the “People’s Team”, the current trajectory feels dangerously out of step with that identity.

If Omonoia is to restore faith, it must begin with open dialogue, structural reform, and above all, humility. Because for all the talk of trophies and tradition, a football club is nothing without its people.