The Cypriot National Platform to Combat the Manipulation of Sports Competitions (Committee of Ethics and Safeguarding in Sports) has, in accordance with the law 180(Ι)/2017 launched a “preliminary investigation” on 21 September 2020 concerning suspicious behaviour detected during a Football match.

Considering the seriousness of the case and the data collected so far, the Network of National Platforms (the Group of Copenhagen), acting under the aegis of the Council of Europe, is mobilised to help the Cyprus National Platform in its duty and to support Cyprus political engagement against criminality in sport.

The Group of Copenhagen includes 33 member countries; it acts with the support of international partners such as Europol, FIFA, Interpol, IOC, or UEFA.

The manipulation of sports competitions is a complex phenomenon, which can take different forms and is often difficult to prove. All sports in all countries of the world are concerned. The Macolin Convention (CETS n°215) empowers public authorities to fight effectively this particularly harmful form of corruption, through National Platforms, in order to protect the integrity of sport and society as a whole.

The preliminary inquiry, which is a normal and positive step in the procedure defined by Cypriot law, will determine whether or not criminal or disciplinary proceedings should be launched. The Group of Copenhagen will remain mobilized alongside Cyprus during the process, in accordance with a procedure that respects the rights of the defence and conducted in compliance with the Law.