The Cyprus Referees Association condemned what it called a malicious act against an active futsal referee and member after an explosive device went off at a private business in Nicosia on the night of March 14, 2026.
Following the incident, futsal referees unanimously decided to abstain from their duties for the current week, a move accepted by the association. It also asked the Cyprus Football Association to postpone the scheduled Cyprus Futsal Championship matches.
In a statement, the association said the blast involved a medium-powered explosive device placed at a private business owned by an active futsal referee and member of the association. It said the explosion happened in Nicosia at 10:30 p.m. on March 14.
“Such malicious acts directed against the property of football referees are completely unacceptable and abhorrent. Linking the attack to his sporting activity strikes at the very foundations of sport and will not be tolerated.”
The association said the incident also damages the standing of Cypriot refereeing and creates what it described as an unacceptable climate of terror in futsal, undermining the institutional role of refereeing at the collective level.
It said it was deeply concerned because this was the second incident in football in the space of three months involving similar malicious acts.
The association added that, because police are investigating the case, it had been judged appropriate not to release further information at this stage, also in line with the referee’s own wishes, until the necessary procedures are completed.
It said futsal referees, in constant contact with the association and deeply concerned about safety issues, had unanimously proposed abstaining from their duties this week.
The association said it had accepted that proposal after hearing what it described as the fully documented views and positions of its members.
It said it had informed the Cyprus Football Association and asked it, on grounds of principle, safety and ethics, to postpone at the first stage the three scheduled Cyprus Futsal Championship matches set for March 16 and March 17, 2026.
The association also said it had requested an immediate meeting with a delegation from the football association, and that request had been accepted for discussion of issues arising from the staging of matches.
It said it expects practical support from the football association in cooperation with the Cyprus Police to strengthen the protection and safety of its members and address the problems.
The association said it wants to protect the sport from acts intended to cause harm, intimidate or influence not only referees but all those involved.
It added that futsal in Cyprus this season reflects what it described as the paradox of the sport’s rise and the support it has received from the football association. It said that as competition and interest increase, tension and fanaticism also rise, leading to dangerous incidents of violence and serious misconduct inside and outside venues.
The association said there have been incidents involving thrown objects, abuse and fan behaviour that put the physical safety of players and referees at risk on the field of play.
It added that despite efforts by the football association to support the sport and improve the sense of safety, indoor venues, the proximity of fans and the mass presence of organised supporters at several matches make control harder and protection minimal on the part of stewards appointed by clubs.