The pressure is mounting on Cyprus’s football clubs, many of which face the threat of sanctions as uncertainty persists over whether they meet the licensing criteria set by the Cyprus Football Association (KOP) and, by extension, UEFA. At issue is the failure to confirm whether these clubs have settled their debts with various state funds.

As Brief reports, despite repeated requests from the Primary Licensing Committee, both the Ministry of Finance and the Tax Department have yet to respond to two letters sent by the committee—one on May 10 addressed to the President of the Republic (copied to the Minister of Finance and the Tax Commissioner), and a second on May 21, addressed solely to the Ministry of Finance and the Tax Commissioner.

The committee is seeking formal confirmation regarding the first division clubs' outstanding debts to state funds in order to proceed with licensing decisions. KOP is obligated to inform UEFA by May 31. Time is running out.

In response to the looming deadline, the Licensing Committee convened an emergency meeting at KOP headquarters, calling on all first division clubs to update the committee on their current financial obligations to the state.

Each club was also asked to submit—by 1:00 PM today—all relevant documentation, including agreements, settlements, and proof of payment, as the Ministry of Finance had not provided any official information.

Rumors circulated yesterday that the Ministry of Finance or the Tax Department would issue the required certificates directly to the clubs. When questioned by Brief, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos responded: “The matter is being handled by the Director General in coordination with the Tax Commissioner. There is also the issue of club obligations to the Social Insurance Fund. The government will present the complete picture as it stands today, and the KOP Licensing Committee may proceed as it sees fit.”

Notably, this is the first time that legacy debts to the Social Insurance Fund have been included in the licensing process, according to football officials.

Committee Chair Christakis Christofides told Brief that an emergency session of the Licensing Committee would convene around 4:00 PM to evaluate all submissions and issue final decisions.

“Time is working against us. Decisions must be made by Friday so that any sanctioned clubs can file an appeal with the Licensing Appeals Committee within the five-day period allowed by regulations.”

Should appeals be lodged—for example, on Monday, May 26—the Appeals Committee would need to meet as early as Friday, May 30, to review the cases.

Failure to meet the requirements will lead to point deductions (six points) and a ban on player transfers for the 2025–2026 season.

It’s important to note that members of both the Licensing Committee and the Appeals Committee are independent and do not represent any football club.