The Chairman of the Judicial Committee of the Cyprus Football Federation, Mr. Yiannis Antoniadis, in a written statement, refers to the Committee’s framework of operation, the enforcement of the Disciplinary Regulations, and the imposition of penalties. At the same time, he calls on the clubs and the fans to cooperate to ensure the proper administration of justice and the safe conduct of matches.
The statement follows verbatim.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The CFF Judicial Committee “handed out” fines
“On the occasion of assuming my duties as Chairman of the Judicial Committee of the Cyprus Football Association (CFA), I feel the need to address the football-loving public regarding the operations of the Disciplinary Committee.
With the start of the current soccer season, the CFF has implemented a change regarding the Federation’s disciplinary bodies and has adopted a three-member Judicial Committee to replace the institution of the Sports Judge.
The Judicial Committee has already convened for four sessions and has issued a series of decisions regarding cases brought before it.
It is well known that various clubs, which were referred to the Judicial Committee and on which penalties were imposed, have issued relevant announcements, as well as filed appeals against certain decisions.
In the context of the new institution’s operation, but primarily for reasons of transparency—which should govern its mode of operation and the methodology followed in issuing decisions— we consider it necessary to set forth the rationale upon which the Judicial Committee addresses the cases brought before it.
The Judicial Committee’s operations are based exclusively on the Disciplinary Regulations adopted by the Clubs themselves, as well as on the Rules and Regulations of the various leagues.
Anyone who examines the aforementioned Regulations will easily find that in far too many cases the prescribed penalties have been codified, thereby depriving the Judicial Committee of the ability to exercise its discretion based on the facts of each case.
The most characteristic and common example concerns the following offenses: a) bringing dangerous objects (firecrackers and flares) into the stadium and into the stands, and b) setting off these objects. The charge becomes more serious (and this is reflected in the prescribed penalty) if the dangerous object is thrown onto the playing field.
For the sake of completeness, in cases where dangerous objects are brought into the stadium or set off inside the stadium (in the stands), the minimum fine is €4,800. However, if a dangerous object falls onto the playing field, then the minimum penalty is €4,800, a match played behind closed doors, and a ban on fans traveling to at least one of the team’s away games.
It is worth noting that in the event of a second conviction (for throwing an object onto the field of play), the penalty is one match behind closed doors and a ban on fan travel for the team’s next three away matches
In the event of a third conviction, the number of matches played behind closed doors increases to two, and the travel ban applies to the team’s next four away matches.
We note that the Judicial Committee, in its effort to carry out the duties entrusted to it and in the exercise of its discretionary authority, is frequently confronted with reactions from the clubs regarding the penalties imposed on them, as well as with public statements that question its work and decisions. Such reactions, especially when they become public, do not contribute to maintaining a healthy and peaceful atmosphere among fans. It should be noted that each case is examined on its own merits based on its specific circumstances, and every decision is made with a view to ensuring equal treatment for all and the proper administration of justice.
We believe that we must all work together in every way possible to keep our stadiums open to fans, provided that matches are held safely, without posing any danger to those inside and around the playing field.
We’d like to believe that we all love soccer, and the Republic of Cyprus has built soccer stadiums so that we can enjoy them together with our families while watching our favorite teams. Some fans have even purchased season tickets, and it is unfair for them to be deprived of the right to watch their favorite team because of the reckless behavior of a few fans, which ultimately results in their favorite team being penalized.
On the one hand, the clubs have established these strict regulations, which only they can change whenever they wish; on the other hand, in cases where the Judicial Committee attempts to show leniency, within the context of specific circumstances, there is a backlash against the Judicial Committee and the CFF in general.
We do not wish to engage in a dialogue with the CFF’s soccer clubs nor to continue our confrontation with them, but we look forward to their understanding and to the opportunity they will give us to carry out our duties without any bias and in the most appropriate and fair manner for everyone, with the aim of ensuring the proper administration ofjustice that has been entrusted to us by the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) and its member clubs.
We earnestly ask all clubs and fans to give the new Judicial Committee the opportunity to carry out its work, and in the end, we are ready to be judged and to assume our share of responsibility.
The easiest approach for the Judicial Committee would be the “blind” administration of justice within the framework of standardized penalties, ignoring our duty as the Judicial Committee to tailor penalties to individual cases.
We look forward to everyone’s cooperation for the good of the sport of soccer.”
