Filenews 28 March 2025 - by Eleftheria Paizanou
A few days before the expiration of the deadline given to them by the government, football clubs are running to find money to pay off some of their tax debts, in the hope of avoiding adventures with the judiciary but also with UEFA and its criteria.
Some of the groups – companies have paid small amounts to the Tax Department to pay part of their tax debts, others have asked for more time to raise the necessary money and others have made written proposals to the Tax Department for the plan they will follow in order to be consistent with their obligations soon.
By Monday, four clubs will have to pay the state €5.3 million, which concerns tax debts they created after May 2023, when the government's last debt repayment plan was implemented. However, as it seems, despite the agonizing efforts made by some football clubs, they will hardly be able to pay the lump sum of €5.3 million. But they are likely to pay a large part of it. The 5.3 million correspond to late instalments that the four clubs did not pay in the last two years to pay their tax debts.
- By the end of March, APOEL must pay an amount of €1.8 million.
- AEL has to pay €1.6 million.
- Apollon €1.3 million and
- Anorthosis €650,000
Other associations also have new debts to the Tax Department, but they concern smaller amounts. - For several weeks now, the leaders of the unions have been on an open line of communication with the Commissioner of Taxation, Sotiris Markidis, submitting written proposals for an exit from the impasse. It is recalled that the total tax debts of the unions exceed €35.6 million, which will be repaid through their reintegration into the government's repayment plan, provided that they will previously repay the debt of €5.3 million.
Things are dark for APOEL
According to information from "F", things are dark for APOEL, which has already contacted the Tax Department, stating that it is unable to pay the amount of €1.8 million by the end of March. He has asked to be given a deadline for another 2-3 weeks, so that within April he can secure the required money and pay at least 50% of the overdue debts. Sources from the Nicosia team have already informed the Tax Commissioner that if given the necessary time, they will pay an amount of up to €1 million. APOEL's long-term debts to the Tax Department amount to €11.6 million.
OK for AEL
On the other hand, AEL seems to find a solution for the debts that the club has, but not for those that AEL has. AEL's total debts amount to €5 million, of which €2 million concern the club and the €3 million the company.
As "F" is informed, the leadership of the union made a proposal to the Tax Department to immediately pay the amount of €2 million. And in fact, to benefit from the plan of overdue tax debts, in instalments, for tax debts until 2015. If AEL joins the overdue debt plan and repays the entire amount of the debt in one instalment, interest and charges will be written off. The remaining debts, from 2016 to 2022, will carry an additional "hat", as they cannot participate in the plan. In this way, the AEL club will also manage to pass the UEFA criteria, despite the debts that the company has, which is no longer affiliated with the club.
According to UEFA, after 2-3 years have passed since the separation of the club from the company, the debts of the latter are not linked to the criteria. As we were told, despite the payment of the union's new debts, the Tax Department will not hesitate to file indictments against the company, in case it does not pay its debts. In the past few days, AEL appealed to its fans to raise an amount of €350,000. So far, it has managed to secure an amount of €134,000.
Apollon gave €150,000
Apollon has already paid €150,000 to the Tax Department, out of its total new debts, amounting to €1.3 million. The amount was paid as a sign of goodwill. In fact, Apollon has also made a written proposal for the payment of the remaining amount. According to the plan proposed by Apollon, in April he will pay another €500,000, in May €350,000 and by the summer another €250,000. With the repayment of the new debts, the remaining debts, which are around €4.8 million, will be included in the repayment plan of the unions, following a decision of the Council of Ministers.
Anorthosis, Paphos, Aris
Anorthosis made a proposal to pay 50% of its new debts, amounting to €650,000, by the end of the month to the Tax Commissioner. Anorthosis, according to information, has already turned to the banks to secure relevant loans. The remaining 50% will be repaid through 2-3 instalments. Anorthosis' long-term debts amount to €4.2 million and will be paid through the plan.
As far as Paphos and Aris are concerned, they have submitted a proposal to the Tax Department to pay off all their debts, but they are waiting for the approval by the Council of Ministers of the tax deductions that will be granted to them. Paphos' total debts are €1.18 million. and Aris Limassol €435,000.
To the Minister for a week the Registrar
Proposals to the Tax Department have been made by other associations that have much smaller debts. It should be noted that in a week's time, the Tax Commissioner will have a meeting with the Minister of Finance, Makis Keravnos, to discuss the proposals of the unions.
It is not excluded that the Ministry of Finance will consent to give credit for a few more weeks to the teams to find the money and pay off their specific debts. This will also mean a freeze for a few more weeks of the indictments prepared by the Tax Department.
After it becomes apparent that the clubs are proceeding to settle their debts through the payment of a large part and rejoin the plan, perhaps the Ministry of Finance will keep the indictments in its drawers and proceed with the issuance of the relevant certificate that they meet UEFA's criteria.
