Cyprus’ CFA could be excluded from betting gains

The football association is against a bill that would take away its share from betting gains.

Cyprus.- The Cyprus Football Association (CFA) voiced its opinion on the bill that would take away its entire share of the state’s betting revenues. The CFA’s percentage would stay with the government in order to repay football clubs’ debts.

Chairman Giorgos Koumas headed a delegation of the CFA that met House President Demetris Syllouris on Tuesday in order to detail how the bill would hurt the association, Cyprus Mail reported.

Koumas explained that the current system fives CFA 1.5 per cent (€600,000) of the state’s revenue from betting and an extra 0.5 per cent to other federations through the sports organisation (KOA). “The 1.5 per cent the CFA received… returns to the state,” Koumas added and said that the money is used to repay clubs’ debts to the state.

CFA wanted the money to be directed exclusively to them in order to be used for players’ welfare and insurance. KOA could give the money directly to CFA, but the former would be subject to a state audit in order to see how the money is being used.