Referee banned in Cyprus after match-fixing arrest

The Cyprus Football Association (CFA) has decided to ban a referee from officiating any game in Cyprus after his arrest on February 11 along with a football team Chairman on suspicion of rigging a Cyprus second division league football game.

According to a press release, the CFA Executive Committee also instructed its General Director and lawyers to enhance the Association’s regulations that determine which individuals are eligible to have a status related to football, taking into consideration their other professional activities.

Meanwhile, coaches of football teams along with football players will now have the chance to use an app called Red Button, that can be used to file anonymous reports with a view to combat the phenomenon of match-fixing.

Justice Minister and Public Order Minister, George Savvides, chaired a meeting on Thursday regarding developments related to the issue of match-fixing in Cyprus with representatives from the police, CFA, the footballers’ association and the referees’ association.

In statements after the meeting, Savvides reiterated the will of the state to do everything required with a view to combat corruption in football. “We exchanged views and I listened carefully to suggestions of all football stakeholders,” he added, calling on everyone that has evidence to give it to the police.