george koumas — The focus keyword in this case is George Koumas, the former president of the Cyprus Football Association (CFA), who is facing serious legal challenges. He is scheduled to appear in court on 26 February, facing 25 charges that stem from allegations of conflict of interest and financial gain related to his dual roles in football administration and private business.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
- As the case against Koumas unfolds, a total of 33 witnesses are anticipated to testify, further shaping the narrative of this significant legal battle in the world of Cypriot football.
Once a dominant figure in Cypriot football, Koumas is accused of exploiting his official position to profit financially through his ownership stakes in two television production companies: Triple AAA Productions Limited and Triple AAA Village Studios Ltd. The indictment outlines that these companies provided critical sports broadcast and livestreaming services to notable organisations including Cyta, Go PLC (formerly MTN TV), the Cyprus Turf Club, Cablenet, and the Cyprus Basketball Federation.
The legal troubles facing Koumas are significant, with 23 counts pertaining to conflict of interest and two counts of money laundering involving a staggering €6,562,447. The charges specifically relate to contracts signed from 2014 to 2025, but only those active after 2017, when Cyprus criminalised conflicts of interest in sports, are included in the indictment.
During the timeframe in question, Koumas is alleged to have gained substantial profits through his companies, which have been implicated in financial dealings that breach established laws prohibiting sports officials from deriving personal financial benefits from the very industry they oversee. Notably, the profits generated during this period are the subject of the money laundering charges, which amount to approximately €6.5 million.
Interestingly, four other companies associated with Koumas, located in the Seychelles and the British Virgin Islands, were not included in the indictment. Legal experts have pointed out that the existing 2017 legislation does not extend its reach to cover these offshore entities, as it only criminalises the sale of sports rights within the Cypriot jurisdiction.
In a related development, four individuals, including CFA official Anthoulis Mylonas, have recently encountered legal scrutiny in connection with a probe into television rights. These individuals are accused of obstructing investigators from the Ethics and Protection of Sports Committee in 2023. Current laws dictate that refusal to cooperate with this committee is a criminal offence that can lead to a prison sentence of up to six months or a fine of €10,000.
As the case against Koumas unfolds, a total of 33 witnesses are anticipated to testify, further shaping the narrative of this significant legal battle in the world of Cypriot football.
