PASP Accuses CFA of Wage Violations and Demands Investigation into Undeclared Player Contracts

The Cyprus Footballers Association (PASP) has strongly criticised a recent circular issued by the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) regarding minimum wages for professional footballers. PASP accuses the CFA of undermining the national minimum wage decree and facilitating unlawful practices across clubs in all divisions.

Key Points from PASP’s Letter to the CFA:

• Violation of Minimum Wage Law:
  The CFA’s circular (No. 149/2025-2026) allegedly contradicts both the spirit and letter of Cyprus’s labour law. According to PASP, the CFA’s proposed wages – €885 (First Division), €413 (Second), and €236 (Third) – fall below the legal thresholds.

• Legal Minimum Requirements:
  Based on discussions with the Ministry of Labour, footballers on professional contracts should earn at least:

  • €900 gross for the first six months

  • €1,000 gross after that
    The CFA’s figures, even when factoring in reduced hours, do not meet these requirements and are therefore unlawful.

• Illegal Deductions:
  PASP also rejects CFA suggestions that clubs can reduce wages for providing housing or meals. Such deductions, it says, must be assessed case-by-case and cannot be generalised.

• Manipulation of Contracts:
  According to PASP, clubs are being guided by the CFA to submit deliberately underreported salary figures in contract filings. In many cases, players are forced to sign secondary “under the table” contracts not declared to social insurance or tax authorities — potentially a criminal offence.

• Call for Immediate Investigation:
  PASP demands a formal CFA-led investigation into the real wages paid in the Second and Third Divisions. It pledges full cooperation, including presenting players and providing original or copy contracts.

• Regulatory Breaches:
  The letter highlights that CFA licensing regulations impose serious penalties for contract concealment and misleading financial disclosures.

• Update to the Law:
  PASP notes that the CFA circular is outdated, referencing an older version of the national wage decree which was revised on 20 December 2023.

• Final Demand:
  PASP calls on the CFA to withdraw the circular immediately, issue updated wage guidelines in line with current legislation, and begin a meaningful investigation into practices in the lower leagues.