Anorthosis press officer Charalambos Parpetas gave an interview to “SPOR FM 95.0” and spoke about everything related to “Kyriá.”
He was, in fact, quite revealing, as he stated that the club’s management had recently paid off 2 million euros in past debts.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
He also commented on the refereeing and discussed the team’s performance following the loss to Nea Salamina, as well as the three-week hiatus.
On the match: “The result wasn’t good; we understand the fans’ disappointment. It’s a result that doesn’t reflect how the game actually went. We were in control. We hit the crossbar and were denied a penalty. We conceded the goal and didn’t react the way we would have liked. We need to analyze the game as a team and identify the mistakes that cost us so we can correct them.”
On the contrast following the match against APOEL: “From the start of the season, Anorthosis has shown improvement game by game. We secured the win against APOEL, and after the first half against Nea Salamina, no one expected things to turn out this way. It’s a matter of circumstances and the opponent; when they get the chance, they’ll have their own moments. We didn’t capitalize on them. We saw elements we need to build on, and what we need to do is find a way for the team to maintain its level of play and respond correctly.”
On the break: “This is an unprecedented situation for all teams with such a long break. We’re considering a friendly match. The players have returned to training. They’ll get a few days off toward the end of the week. That’s the schedule, and we’ll see—since there are so many days—how the team makes the most of the break. I should also mention that Tosic’s substitution was necessary; he’ll undergo medical tests. Some international players are also absent. Artymatas is with the men’s national team, and we’ll have a few other absences.”
On complaints about refereeing: “The refereeing has fallen short of expectations. We haven’t finished a single game where we felt the refereeing was on par with the standard of soccer in Cyprus. We believe that against Nea Salamina, we were awarded a penalty for a handball early in the game. The VAR decision is puzzling because it didn’t prompt the referee to make a call. As a first step, we will demand the appointment of foreign referees, and Anorthosis will certainly not stand idly by. Mr. Damato has also acknowledged and admitted that serious mistakes were made. The Cyprus Football Association (CFA) is also aware of this. These are facts.”
On foreign officials: “All the teams agree—we need to bring in foreign officials, at least for the VAR.”
On refereeing issues: “We’ll wait for the Cyprus Football Association’s (CFA) decisions. We’ve made some other requests to the CFA regarding the possibility of broadcasting matches on the giant screens at the ‘Antonis Papadopoulos’ Stadium and we also announced yesterday that we want referee body cameras at all of our team’s matches so that viewers can see what the referee sees, and Anorthosis is willing to cover the cost. We don’t know the exact cost. Our goal is always to do what’s best.”
On the fans and the financial situation: “I’ll send a message. The management is creating the conditions and laying the groundwork for a strong Anorthosis. We knew we’d face difficulties this year. In recent days, our management has managed to pay off over 2 million euros in old debts and past obligations, which were weighing down the club and significantly limiting the team’s ability to move forward. So, through financial discipline, concrete planning, and, above all, action, we are gradually building a strong foundation—that is, financial consolidation and freeing the team from the burdens of the past. The road ahead remains difficult—I want to make that clear—and there are still significant obligations and challenges before us, but every old debt that is settled, every financial burden that is lifted and resolved, is one more step toward an Anorthosis that is financially healthier, organizationally stronger, and a leading force on the field. Of course, defeats on the field hurt—both us and our fans—but they must make us better; but the major battle we’re fighting right now is to reestablish the conditions that will allow Anorthosis to stand firmly on its own two feet and return to the place where its history belongs. What you just said is important, yes. And we’re confident that the team will find its way. And we won’t stop trying. We remain committed to the plan that this administration has outlined from the very beginning.”
