The General Director of the KOA, Vassos Koutsiountas, spoke to “SPOR FM 95.0” about the issue of stadium licensing.
The main points of what he said:
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Regarding yesterday’s meeting with the Ministry of Justice: “There is indeed a significant issue. This isn’t a new problem—we had similar issues last year as well. You’ve seen the announcement. There is an issue. The police are clear: they will not patrol unlicensed stadiums or sections of stadiums. We discussed these issues. The proposal I made, after hearing all the positions, is to set timelines with specific milestones so that all stadiums are licensed. We are awaiting the Authority’s response to see if it will be accepted, as it appears it will be.
We will also hold another meeting on Monday or Tuesday with the Licensing Committee to work out this plan. All stadiums will prepare a roadmap, which will include milestones, and each time a milestone is met, the licensing process will continue. If, for any reason, they miss the milestones, the licensing process is lost. In this way, I hope we’ll be able to secure approval for almost all the stages.”
What are the main issues with the stadiums: “Yesterday, the discussion was clearly about closed-circuit systems. It takes time for everything to change, but it can be done. Changes are possible, but it takes time; not everything can be changed within three months. To be fair to the Stadium Licensing Authority—and the Authority itself says this—that’s not the issue right now; why are you bringing this up at the end?
We’re trying to find a solution that will document the intent and the process by which the stadiums will comply with the recommendations, while at the same time not imposing demands on the Authority, and I believe this proposal can get us out of this impasse.”
Regarding permits and the other stadiums: “There’s no issue with the ‘AEK Arena’ and ‘Alphamega.’ Starting with the ‘Stelios Kyriakidis’ stadium, everything that needs to be done will be completed by August 31, and it will be in order. As far as I know about the GSP, the police and everything we’re hearing seem satisfactory. I want to be optimistic that the GSP will be in order. If the Licensing Authority doesn’t deem the closed-circuit system suitable, then there will be a problem. We’re waiting a bit on the GSP, but the signs are positive. As for “Famagusta” and “Papadopoulos,” I don’t know the details.”
Regarding the fact that we always wait until the last minute: “We didn’t just bring this up today; you’ve known about it for some time now, gentlemen in charge of the initial stages. It’s been a while, and I believe the proposal with the timelines and milestones is a good solution for getting this issue resolved. There’s no way they can do everything that needs to be done in three months. As for the cost, they will certainly come to us for funding. It’s not right, and the government shouldn’t have to subsidize all the costs of upgrading soccer stadiums.
We will certainly provide support, but everyone needs to understand that we shouldn’t expect everything from the government. Both stadium authorities and the Football Federation—since, at the end of the day, this is their sport—shouldn’t expect everything from the government and must contribute financially. It’s not fair to anyone.”
Starting with the second matchday, there will be a problem: “As I see it, Tsireio Stadium is more difficult than the other stadiums; that’s what I gathered from yesterday’s discussion.”
Regarding the “Stelios Kyriakides” Stadium and the current status of the process: “An extension was granted until mid-September. Paphos had asked us for an extension on the bid. We’re waiting to see who will express interest; we’re waiting to see which companies and investors are interested, and then we’ll move on to consultations and negotiations with those from the first phase. This process will take at least six months. This year, and for a little while longer, Paphos will continue to use the “Stelios Kyriakides” stadium. We’ll see how these things play out; the important thing is to know that there is interest from investors to get the ball rolling.”
Regarding the Makareio: “The soccer stadium will remain, but it will be downsized. Downsizing the soccer stadium, renovating the ‘Eleftheria,’ and a complete renovation of Lefkotheo. We’re already in talks with the Urban Planning Department; all of this takes a lot of time. It’s not a simple project; very roughly speaking, it’s an investment of 70 to 100 million. It’s a massive undertaking—a five-year project, I’d say. That’s the general idea.”
Regarding the processes involving privately owned stadiums (APOEL, Omonia): “There’s still a long way to go on those as well; I don’t see these stadiums being ready for at least five years.”
