The Legal Service has filed a criminal case against former Cyprus Football Association (CFA) president George Koumas and two companies linked to his interests over a persistent conflict of interest.
The case, registered at Nicosia District Court on Thursday, follows a lengthy investigation into the sale of sports television content. While authorities have not released the full charge sheet as it has yet to be served, legal sources told Phileleftheros the charges involve “various offences” related to Koumas’ dual role as a football official and a businessman managing sports broadcast rights.
Sources suggest Koumas could face up to five years in prison if convicted. Investigations previously documented that Koumas, while serving as a high-ranking CFA official, sold broadcast rights for APOEL and the Cyprus national team to CytaVision through offshore entities in the Seychelles and the British Virgin Islands.
Koumas is currently abroad and is expected to return to Cyprus around 15 February. His lawyer, Christos Triantafyllides, stated he would defend his client using all available legal means and expressed confidence in the Cypriot justice system. Triantafyllides also hinted that arguments regarding the violation of the presumption of innocence would be raised in court.
In response, independent investigator Alexandra Lykourgou dismissed claims that recent public statements had compromised the case. She noted that Cypriot courts have previously ruled, including in the 2011 Polyviou report, that public findings do not necessarily violate a defendant’s right to a fair trial.
The Ethics and Protection of Sports Committee, which spearheaded the probe, welcomed the development. “The Committee has been fully vindicated in the struggle it has undertaken,” said Vice-President Efthymios Efthymiou.
The prosecution may also consider charges related to money laundering and a refusal to cooperate with investigators. Further cases against other CFA officials who allegedly refused to testify during the initial probe have not been ruled out.