Justice and Public Order Minister Ionas Nicolaou said all allegations about match fixing and football league manipulation will be thoroughly investigated.

The Cyprus Police raided on Monday night on the headquarters of the Cyprus Football Association, confiscating 27 computers, an external hard drive and a number of documents. The investigation at CFA offices followed allegations for corruption.

Invited to comment on last night`s raid that followed Marios Panagi`s lengthy statement to the police, the minister said all allegations will have to be fully investigated and all necessary evidence gathered and if necessary, there will be arrests.

Cypriot referee Panagi in the first division of the Cyprus football league, claimed that officials in the Cyprus Football Association and the Association of Referees are involved in match fixing and football league manipulation and wondered whether political parties might also be involved.

Nicolaou said Panagi gave evidence and made allegations which are under investigation.

He said that the prosecuting authorities acknowledge the fact that this is an issue of high priority.

Asked about the “red” and “yellow” dossiers sent by UEFA to the CFA in the past, Nicolaou said that a number of these have been forwarded to the Attorney-General’s office.

According to the Minister, a meeting is scheduled to take place in January at the Law Office of the Republic which will examine how these will be dealt with. Nicolaou explained that under Cyprus law, there are restrictions in using telephone data as evidence, something which is used by other countries overseas, thus hampering investigations.

The dossiers outline matches that are flagged for suspicious betting behaviour, which may indicate they were fixed.

Meanwhile, Police Spokesman Andreas Angelides said that evidence confiscated from the CFA will be evaluated.

He told reporters that a meeting was held on at the Law Office with the participation of the Attorney General, his deputy and a group of investigators and decisions were taken. A search warrant was also issued for the CGA offices.

A total of 21 desktop computers were confiscated as well as six laptops and a number of documents.

Several people, he added, have been questioned and have given written statements which are being examined.

We are trying to have a clear picture the soonest, Angelides added.