Given the immense significance of our national team’s 2-1 victory over Latvia yesterday, the outstanding performance by Marcus Edwards, the fact that other similar cases involving players are being reviewed, as well as the relationship between AEL and the Cyprus Football Association (CFA), following the rejection of the Limassol club’s appeal, as noted by the chairman of the national teams committee and spokesperson for the “Lions,” Fotis Fotiou, in statements he gave to SPOR FM 95.
In detail:
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
On yesterday’s game: “Congratulations are due to the players and the coaching staff for the great victory we achieved yesterday and the performance we put forth in these four games. The last 15 days have been difficult with this new format, but in the end, we celebrated a great victory last night—both us and the small crowd.”
On Edwards: “First of all, I want to say that the victory belongs to all the players; it’s always the ones who score who get the credit. He hit the crossbar twice in Latvia, but the ball just wasn’t on our side that night. All the guys are showing great determination and passion to secure the win. You can see that passion for victory on the field. It was a challenge for us to restore that national spirit. “We made a great effort to integrate Edwards, and the scouting department is doing a good job of bringing in quality players to compete for our national team.”
On whether there are other similar cases: “There are other cases; we’re looking into them, and we’ll have some results soon.”
On fatigue: “This new format doesn’t help the players much; perhaps we’ll bring it up with the relevant authorities so they can reconsider it, because playing so many games in such a short period of time is difficult; we’ve picked up quite a few points; we could have picked up two more, but we still have two games left to fight for the win and promotion.”
On the fans: “When the players put out a call—that passion they show for victory—that alone should be enough to bring the fans out to support the team. We need to look at soccer differently, and the fans need to embrace the players—then the results will follow. We shouldn’t wait to get a good result before the fans show up. For example, when we went to Latvia—where soccer isn’t the most popular sport—the fans were there. We’re trying to take certain steps to bring the fans in, and we’ll take some action to bring the fans closer to the team.”
On the progress we’re seeing with the national team: “The coach and the staff are doing an excellent job; we’re giving it our all so we can work under the best conditions. There are certainly things we can improve, but we’re making the effort, and conditions are now better for both the national team and the U-21s.”
Regarding the Court of Appeals’ decision: “What I want to say is that we’re working to try to change certain things under the new presidency; and I assured the president of AEL that changes are being made and that time must be given so that we can do what’s best for soccer.”
Regarding whether relations between AEL and the CFF have been restored: “The President was present, myself, and the Technical Director; this shows that the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) does not neglect any team. We are in daily contact with the president of AEL and are striving to make the right changes to become better.”
