Four football clubs are racing against time to pay off their social insurance debts to the state, but Monday’s deadline is proving difficult to meet.

The clubs collectively owe over €5 million and may be able to pay off part of the debt by Monday. According to reports, some clubs have already made partial payments and could be granted additional time to settle the remaining balance.

Meanwhile, several clubs have submitted new proposals to the Tax Department but are still awaiting a response.

Beyond the risk of legal action, the clubs also face Uefa’s financial criteria, which could further complicate their situation.

Last month, Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou confirmed that criminal prosecutions were already underway for football clubs that had failed to pay their social insurance contributions.

On Wednesday, eight officials from the Apoel sports club pleaded guilty in a high-profile case involving €2.3 million in unpaid social security contributions.

Unlike tax debts, social security debts are subject to stricter collection laws that do not allow for extended settlement periods. By law, employers are required to pay their employees’ social security contributions monthly, covering all staff on their payroll at the time, Panayiotou explained.

If delays are detected, social security services issue notices and failure to settle overdue contributions triggers criminal prosecution.

Any debtor who does not meet his obligations is subject to the provisions of the legislation and is brought before the courts, the minister said. There is no possibility of exempting any debtor from the obligation to pay social security contributions.

Football clubs have faced increased scrutiny after revelations that they owed not only back taxes but also social security contributions for their players.