January 15 – One of the most decorated Cypriot football clubs, Omonia Nicosia, has sent an official request to the Cyprus Football Federation (CFA) to have all of the team’s matches officiated by foreign referees until the end of the season.
Omonia said they are ready to pay all the costs of appointing foreign referees.
The club sent the request offically to the CFA office a few days ago and are now waiting for a response.
Omonia claim that they have often been harmed by refereeing decisions this season. The Greens are currently in 4th place in the provisional standings and are eight points behind leader Aris Limassol.
“Our positions on Cypriot football and Cypriot refereeing are known. In fact, last week, we submitted a request to the CFA to appoint foreign referees and foreign VARs to all our remaining matches and to bear the financial cost for our regular season matches (as in the play-offs the CFA usually brings foreign referees),” said Omonia’s press spokesman Andreas Dimitriou in a statement.
“Unfortunately, we have not yet received a response. We know the problems of Cypriot refereeing very well and they have cost us dearly. We have repeatedly stressed the need for changes in the structure and mode of operation of the CFA in order to achieve transparency and fair and equal treatment of all teams in all areas.”
“It is important for those who share the same concerns, values and goals to also express themselves publicly and work for substantial changes in the CFA and its general operation.”
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1736937306labto1736937306ofdlr1736937306owedi1736937306sni@o1736937306fni1736937306