Cyprus Mail 12 February 2025 - by Elias Hazou
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| File photo - Doxa |
Failure to pay football players their wages is a criminal offence, making the clubs and/or their directors legally liable, the association representing the players said on Tuesday.
The association of football players (Pasp) was commenting after reports that players in the lower divisions were not being paid what they were owed.
It said that after the case of Elias Chrysostomou, which made the news, the association has received other similar complaints.
According to these complaints, some clubs in the second and third divisions either force players to sign contracts different than what was originally agreed in terms of earnings, or outright deceive them.
The association recalled that non-payment of earnings is a criminal offence, adding that liability lies not only with the clubs as legal entities but also with the individuals running those clubs.
It urged any footballers facing such issues to immediately get in touch with the association, saying it would provide any legal assistance pro bono.
The association also advised football players in the second and third divisions to contact social insurance offices to check whether their employment is registered and that their employers are paying into the social insurance fund as required by law.
The issue regained traction after publicity surrounding the case of Chysostomou, formerly a player for third-division club Doxa.
Chrysostomou alleges he was deceived by Doxa when they signed him over on loan from another club last autumn.
At a meeting with Doxa club officials, it was agreed that his earnings would come to €950 net per month.
Later on the same day, Chrysostomou says, he attended a training session with Doxa. There, the club president brought some papers for him to sign. But this contract shown to him stipulated monthly wages of just €150 instead of the agreed €950.
The club president urged Chrysostomou to sign on the dotted line, promising that a second contract would be drafted to make up the difference.
Despite his reservations, the player said he signed as multiple contracts are common practice in the Cypriot football scene.
He did not want to risk challenging the club, given that the transfer season was coming to a close, his wife was pregnant and they “needed the money”.
The club never came back with the promised follow-up contract. Reacting, Chrysostomou stopped training. Doxa then initiated proceedings against him, and asked for compensation as they claimed the player was in breach of contract.
Meanwhile Chrysostomou wants to return to his previous club and earn a living, but Doxa are not letting him go.
