Newsroom
Football clubs in Cyprus are facing mounting pressure from the Tax Department to settle their overdue debts. According to sources from the Ministry of Finance, the clubs' administrations must pay substantial amounts of their outstanding tax bills to avoid criminal prosecutions initiated by the Tax Inspector.
The clubs most affected include APOEL, Apollon, AEL, and Anorthosis, with the Tax Department insisting on immediate payments. In order to halt the legal actions against them, these clubs are being asked to pay at least 50% of their overdue installments. Failure to do so would result in continued legal action, and the clubs would not be able to obtain the necessary certificate of debt settlement required for participation in UEFA competitions.
For the financially troubled football clubs, including Apollon, APOEL, and AEL, the amounts requested by the Tax Department are significant, with each club facing unique challenges when it comes to meeting these demands.
The amounts owed by the clubs are as follows:
- Apollon: €1 million
- AEL: €683,000
- APOEL: €667,000
- Anorthosis: €188,000
While the exact figures have not been confirmed by the clubs, sources in the Ministry of Finance have indicated these are the amounts requested for overdue tax installments.
In light of these considerable sums, the clubs are asking for more time to pay the remainder of their debts. Their financial struggles have been highlighted to President Nikos Christodoulides, who is being urged to show understanding given the critical role these clubs play in Cyprus' football, social, and political landscape.
The clubs have emphasized that they are committed to settling their debts but need financial relief and time to navigate their current challenges. The ongoing efforts to raise funds have intensified, as the clubs continue to negotiate with authorities in the hopes of securing a more manageable payment plan.
