Cyprus Football Association (CFA) President Giorgos Koumas resigned on Tuesday after nearly two decades in Cypriot football administration and seven years leading the federation, marking the end of a tenure defined by mounting controversies.
Koumas informed the CFA Executive Committee of his decision to step down from the presidency after months of consideration, according to a written statement released by his office. The resignation, whilst not directly linked to an ongoing criminal investigation into potential conflicts of interest regarding television rights, appeared influenced by mounting pressure and personal considerations.
“I have become a target and inevitably, along with me, the CFA and Cypriot football in general are being targeted,” Koumas said in his statement. “With my departure, I wish to protect the sport.”
The resignation follows years of corruption allegations and investigations. In October 2023, Cyprus’s sports ethics committee recommended criminal proceedings against Koumas, with findings submitted to the attorney-general for potential prosecution.
The outgoing president said he had been considering the decision for several months and felt the time was appropriate to implement it immediately after the completion of the current football season.
Koumas will continue his international roles, maintaining his position as a FIFA Council member, where he was recently re-elected for a third term, and as a member of UEFA’s Executive Committee.
The allegations against Koumas include accusations of manipulating television rights payments to create unfair advantages for certain clubs. Investigators alleged that money paid by broadcaster CytaVision for domestic football rights was distributed according to Koumas’s personal decisions rather than agreed protocols.
The sports ethics committee also found Koumas had a conflict of interest through ownership of companies trading football broadcasting rights, violating Cypriot law that prohibits officials from having business interests in sports they oversee.
Additional accusations include granting an unauthorised €200,000 bonus to a club during matches surrounded by suspicious betting activity, and concealing UEFA notices regarding match-fixing concerns.
Despite the investigations, Koumas was re-elected unopposed as CFA president in July 2023.
Koumas’s career in CFA administration began in 2005 when he joined as assistant general secretary representing Enosis Neon Paralimni. He became deputy president in 2007 before ascending to the presidency in March 2018 following the death of Costakis Koutsokoumnis.
Despite controversies, Koumas secured re-election in 2023 with support from 15 of 17 clubs for a new four-year term. His tenure coincided with periods of significant change and challenges in Cypriot football, requiring navigation of a frequently polarised environment.
His influence extended internationally, serving as a FIFA Council member since 2018 and UEFA Executive Committee member. He also holds positions as UEFA Hat Trick Committee vice-president and board member of CAA Eleven, which manages television and commercial rights for national teams since 2017.
Koumas served the association “with all my strength, without expecting universal recognition,” he stated, describing his journey from his hometown team through various federation positions to the presidency.
“Football is a living organism, full of passion, emotions but also constant criticism,” Koumas said, acknowledging that criticism “often hurts, but is part of this journey.”
The CFA president requested that the executive committee of the organisation proceed immediately with procedures to fill the presidential position.
Key infrastructure projects remain pending, including completion of the new sports centre in Kornos and continued strengthening of Cypriot football talent development programmes.
Koumas thanked CFA leadership, staff, club presidents, coaches, players, referees, observers and volunteers who support the sport daily. He also acknowledged the sporting public, stating that “rivalry only makes sense within the playing field and ends with the final whistle.”
The resignation announcement did not specify a timeline for selecting Koumas’s successor, though he stressed the need for immediate action to ensure continuity in CFA operations and the smooth start of the new season.
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