Giorgos Koumas is facing 25 charges relating to money laundering and alleged incompatibility in connection with the management of television rights for major sporting events.
During yesterday’s proceedings at the Nicosia District Court, Giorgos Koumas appeared in the dock, where the charges were brought against him. The indictment was not read out, as the defence stated that he was already aware of the charges, and he responded 'not guilty' to all of them.
Of the total number of charges he faces, 23 relate to his positions and the alleged incompatibility, while two charges relate to the laundering of proceeds from illegal activities. According to the details of the indictment, the money laundering charges concern an amount of €6,562,447.
The offences concern the period 2015–2025 and include collaborations with companies and organisations professionally active in sport, such as the Cyprus Football Association, the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority, Cablenet, GO plc, the Nicosia Racecourse Club and the Cyprus Basketball Federation.
According to the indictment, during the period when Giorgos Koumas held the position of sports official and president of the Cyprus Football Association, he is alleged to have maintained, through companies and associates, links with specific organisations, in violation of the Law on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Sports Events, as well as Article 20 of the Criminal Code.
As stated, the actions under scrutiny included, among other things, the production and live broadcasting of sporting events, the management of television rights, as well as the exploitation of internet and mobile rights for football, basketball and horse‑racing events.
In addition to Giorgos Koumas, the companies Triple AAA Productions Limited and Triple AAA Village Studios Ltd are also named in the indictment. These are two companies in which Mr Koumas was a shareholder. Through these two companies, while holding a senior position within the Cyprus Football Association, initially as vice‑president and later as president, he entered into agreements for the production and live broadcasting of sporting events. Services were also provided for live online streaming, management of television rights and the production of sports programmes.
The case has been scheduled for hearing on 23 November at 10:30.
Delay commented on
What was commented on yesterday in the court precincts was the delay in the commencement of the court proceedings in the Giorgos Koumas case. The case had been scheduled for a response at 8:30 in the morning. Giorgos Koumas and his legal team arrived at the courts shortly before 10:00. During the proceedings before the Nicosia District Court, no reference was made to the delay or to any request that may have been submitted for a change in the time of appearance.
