IT’S not just football in Scotland that has a problem with gambling, and in Cyprus the issue could be much worse, after senior figures in the sport in that country spoke out about corruption and match-fixing.
Stavros Papastavrou, the president of AC Omoni, which is based in the capital Nicosia and sits second in the Cypriot First Division, shocked the country with his claims of “rot” and “corruption” within the sport.
His club is offering up to €25,000 to whoever comes forward with useful information about corruption in football.
A former referee turned whistleblower, Marios Panayi, was forced to leave the country after he claimed he was approached to fix matches, and now Papastavrou claims that he was also contacted.
European governing body Uefa has sent a delegation to Cyprus to inquire into the activities of the Cypriot FA, which has pledged to crack down on any attempts to fix matches or bribe players and officials.
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The issue has now surfaced in Cyprus politics with Justice Minister George Savvides urging Papastavrou to go to the police with any relevant information. Savvides also appealed to the public to come forward with information on corrupt practices in football, vowing that authorities will investigate thoroughly and dismissing the notion of any cover-up.
Uefa recently sent the Cypriot FA latter five “red notices” on suspicious betting activity.
Savvides told the Cyprus Mail: “For those who love the sport, it is not enough for them to say they have information – they must provide it to the police.”
Describing the meeting with Uefa officials as “highly constructive,” Savvides said it was agreed the two sides would establish a direct line of communication, rather than wait for Uefa to dispatch its red notices.
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