A new statement from RoboMarkets AEL with… barbs directed at the Cyprus Sports Organization (KOA) regarding the approval of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s use of the “Spyros Kyprianou” stadium.
The trigger was a statement by General Manager Vassos Koutsiountas, who described the criticism as unfair.
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The Limassol-based team raised the question: since these EuroLeague games can be policed, why not their own volleyball matches as well?
The statement: “In response to the statements made by the General Director of the KOA and the references to an ‘invalidation’ and ‘unfair’ stance on our part, we consider it important to reiterate what we made clear from the very beginning: RoboMarkets AEL considers the presence of EuroLeague-level teams in Cyprus to be of particular importance and supports every effort that can showcase our country as an international sports destination. This is a development that we welcome, and we believe it can bring significant benefits to Cypriot sports.
However, this does not preclude our right to point out problems that directly affect the operation of our Association. Supporting a major international event and safeguarding the needs of Cypriot clubs are not two conflicting goals. They can and must coexist.
RoboMarkets AEL had not received any prior notification regarding the naming rights for the “Spyros Kyprianou” stadium to Maccabi Tel Aviv, nor did it participate in any relevant meeting prior to the decision being made. According to the information we have, not even KOPE itself had been informed in advance.
We are therefore pleased that our announcement yesterday served as the catalyst to open the discussion and launch the effort to find solutions. That, after all, was our goal: to bring a real issue to light and foster understanding among all parties involved.
There is, however, a second issue that we believe went somewhat unnoticed in yesterday’s discussion, and it concerns the police’s stance.
Since the police believe they can develop and implement the necessary security plan for Maccabi Tel Aviv’s games in Cyprus, including matches against Turkish teams, which, under current circumstances, clearly present heightened security requirements, then we consider it reasonable to ask for a clear answer.
If matches of this level and this degree of risk can be policed, why is policing matches between Cypriot clubs sometimes presented as impossible or extremely difficult?
Whether it involves AEL, Apollon, Anorthosis, or any other Cypriot club, we believe we have the right to know what the criteria are and what the police’s actual capabilities are.
We are not asking this question to stir up conflict. We are raising it because, since it has been demonstrated that the necessary resources can be mobilized and special plans drawn up for particularly demanding international matches, it is reasonable to expect the same determination and the same level of planning for the safe conduct of domestic matches as well.
RoboMarkets AEL Volleyball Committee.”
