{"id":152302,"date":"2026-11-03T14:29:22","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T14:29:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/?post_type=comparative_guide&#038;p=152302"},"modified":"2026-11-03T16:15:15","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T16:15:15","slug":"cyprus-sports-law","status":"publish","type":"comparative_guide","link":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/chapter\/cyprus-sports-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Cyprus: Sports Law"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-152302","comparative_guide","type-comparative_guide","status-publish","hentry","guides-sports-law","jurisdictions-cyprus"],"acf":[],"appp":{"post_list":{"below_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">SME Law<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2026\/10\/Loizos-1.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>"},"post_detail":{"above_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">SME Law<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2026\/10\/Loizos-1.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>","below_title":"<span class=\"guide-intro\">This country specific Q&amp;A provides an overview of Sports Law laws and regulations applicable in Cyprus<\/span><div class=\"guide-content\"><div class=\"filter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" placeholder=\"Search questions and answers...\" class=\"filter-container__search-field\">\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<ol class=\"custom-counter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Do you have a specific sport tribunal in your country to decide sports-related domestic issues for one or more disciplines? Are there any other sports-specific alternative dispute resolutions in your country, i.e. mediation, conciliation, or sports ombuds instance? Are there cases that can or cannot be submitted to a specific sports tribunal or cannot be subject to arbitration (e.g. labor disputes)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Cyprus has a statutory Supreme Sports Judicial Committee (Anotati Dikastiki Epitropi Athlitismou, ADEA), established under the Cyprus Sports Organisation Law. ADEA can hear all kind of sport disputes, including disciplinary offences, provided it accepts jurisdiction, and acts at first instance where a federation\u2019s rules provide no competent body, or where that body has not exercised its jurisdiction within 15 days. It can also hear appeals from federation judicial bodies but only where the relevant statutes or regulations of the federation permit an appeal to ADEA. The decisions of ADEA can then be challenged by judicial review, not on the merits, before the national Administrative Court, der Article 146 of the Constitution.<\/p>\n<p>Almost all Sport Associations also operate their own disciplinary and dispute resolution bodies dn therefore ADEA\u2019s role in national sporting disputes is quite limited.<\/p>\n<p>In football for example, the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) has a National Dispute Resolution Chamber (NDRC), which is competent to hear contractual or other employment or registration related disputes between clubs, coaches, club technical personnel and clubs. The decisions of the NDRC can be appealed before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), in Lausanne.<\/p>\n<p>As far as disciplinary offences in football are concerned, these are heard by the CFA Disciplinary Committee, the decisions of which can be appealed before the CFA Disciplinary Committee Appeal Body, the decisions of which are final.<\/p>\n<p>There is no single national sports ombudsman or compulsory mediation scheme.<\/p>\n<p>The law does not prohibit the submission of labour disputes to arbitration and in fact athletes in Cyprus prefer to have their cases heard by the dispute resolution chamber of the relevant association rather than the national court. This is because the sport tribunals are both more appropriate to examine and decide such a dispute and considerably faster.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How is Sports law codified in your country? Is there a specific Statute or Code? Are there national sports authorities, independent agencies, or government ministries responsible for oversight?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Cyprus has no single comprehensive Sports Code. The principal framework is the Cyprus Sports Organisation Law 41\/1969, supplemented by legislation on manipulation of competitions, doping, betting and spectator violence, as well as general company, association, employment and criminal law. Federation statutes and regulations govern participation, licensing and discipline within their respective sports.<\/p>\n<p>The Cyprus Sports Organisation (CSO) is the principal statutory sports authority, with responsibilities that include recognition and support of sporting bodies. The Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth has the governmental sport portfolio whilst specialised bodies include the Cyprus Anti-Doping Authority and the National Betting Authority.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Advertising and marketing in sport: which are the limitations foreseen in your country, for instance in relation to alcohol, tobacco or betting advertising on or around sports infrastructure, on official clothing, etc.?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Section 8 of the Health Protection (Control of Smoking) Law 24(I)\/2017 prohibits advertising and sponsorship of the tobacco and related products it specifies, now including nicotine pouches. Its restrictions therefore matter to stadium displays and shirt sponsorship. Electronic cigarettes are also addressed by regulations under that law. Alcohol sponsorship is not subject to an equivalent general sports-specific prohibition identified in the legislation reviewed, but broadcast advertising must not target minors or associate drinking with improved physical performance, among other restrictions.<\/p>\n<p>Betting promotion is governed by the Betting Law 37(I)\/2019 and the National Betting Authority\u2019s Advertising Code. The Code restricts content and broadcast timing, requires safer-gambling messaging, and prohibits licensed bookmakers from sponsoring competitions or teams whose participants are predominantly under 18, or individual minor athletes. Bookmaker branding on items primarily intended for children is also prohibited. Nevertheless, adult team sponsorship remains possible subject to these rules and the relevant federation\u2019s requirements. In football for example, sponsorship from betting companies is allowed, provided, amongst others, the betting company is duly licenced to operate in Cyprus.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Match-fixing: How is match-fixing and other forms of match manipulation combated in your country? Has your country ratified the Macolin Convention? What is the role of the sports betting industry in your country and is it subject to any specific state regulations?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Combating Manipulation of Sports Competitions Law 180(I)\/2017 criminalises attempted or completed manipulation, contribution to a prearranged match, and bribery intended to influence a sporting event. It also restricts betting by athletes and sports officials on specified competitions and requires athletes, officials and licenced betting operators to report relevant corruption or suspicious betting information. Manipulation carries a maximum of seven years\u2019 imprisonment and\/or a \u20ac200,000 fine. The Sports Ethics and Protection Committee acts as the national platform for information and investigations.<\/p>\n<p>Cyprus signed the Macolin Convention on 4 May 2017 but has not yet ratified it. The domestic law refers to the Convention\u2019s national-platform model but that reference does not itself amount to ratification. Nevertheless, the domestic law has almost entirely adopted the Macolin Convention provisions.<\/p>\n<p>Sports betting is a regulated industry. The independent National Betting Authority licences and supervises land-based Class A and online Class B bookmakers under the Betting Law 37(I)\/2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is there an institution safeguarding the integrity across sports in your country, e.g. ethics and doping violations or abuse cases? Which rules does such an institution apply?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There is no single body with exclusive responsibility for every integrity issue. The Sports Ethics and Protection Committee, established by Law 180(I)\/2017 can receive information or complaints and, if it considers this appropriate, initiate investigations. If the investigation indicates the commission of a potential criminal offence, the Committee will inform accordingly the Attorney General. If the investigation indicates the commission of a potential disciplinary offence then the Committee will inform accordingly the relevant federation.<\/p>\n<p>Doping is handled separately by the Cyprus Anti-Doping Authority, established under the framework implementing the UNESCO anti-doping convention. Its anti-doping rules incorporate the mandatory provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How is corruption in sport regulated in your country? Is corruption between private individuals subject to criminal or civil liability and are there any sport specific corruption regulations?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Law 180(I)\/2017 creates sport-specific offences for manipulation and for offering, soliciting or receiving an improper benefit to alter the course or result of a sporting event. The latter offence carries up to five years\u2019 imprisonment and\/or a \u20ac100,000 fine.<\/p>\n<p>Corruption between private persons can attract criminal liability beyond the sports statute. Cyprus\u2019s law ratifying the Council of Europe Criminal Law Convention on Corruption makes active and passive private-sector bribery offences. Depending on the facts, the same conduct may also support a civil claim, such as breach of contract or a claim for loss caused by a breach of duty. Civil liability is not automatic simply because a criminal offence is alleged.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How is fan behavior regulated by law (for example banning orders, criminal penalties for violence, specific laws addressing measures against violence at sporting events etc.)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Prevention and Suppression of Violence in Sports Venues Law 48(I)\/2008 regulates entry, security, prohibited conduct and sanctions at sporting events. A fan card is required alongside a ticket for all sport top division matches and international matches specified by section 39B, subject to statutory exceptions.<\/p>\n<p>Courts can impose exclusion orders, including orders concerning particular matches. Federations, qualifying clubs and venue security officers can also impose entry bans in the circumstances set out in the legislation. Violence and related offences can lead to criminal sanctions, while federation rules may impose separate sporting sanctions on clubs and athletes or other individuals who are under the federation\u2019s jurisdiction.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What legal frameworks exist around the ownership and governance of professional sports clubs (e.g. foreign ownership restrictions, fan ownership models, licensing requirements)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Clubs may operate as member associations under the Societies and Foundations Law 104(I)\/2017. Professional activities may also be conducted through companies under general company law. Cyprus has no general sports-specific supporter-ownership rule or general nationality ban on shareholders. The chosen structure still has to meet CSO recognition and the relevant federation\u2019s participation rules.<\/p>\n<p>For club licensing in Football, the CFA regulations generally requires the applicant\u2019s CFA membership and\/or contractual relationship with a registered member, together with its first team\u2019s participation in official competitions, to have continued for at least three consecutive seasons by the start of the licence season. Nevertheless, the UEFA Club Financial Control Body may grant an exception.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Do you observe an increase in multi-sport ownership in your country, either across various sports or within one sport or sports discipline?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Multi-club investment is present but only in football, and this is the case with only two top division clubs. These investments have been in place for a quite a few years so far, so it cannot be said that there was any increase lately.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any mandatory national provisions, apart from regulations of international sports governing bodies, which regulate athlete representation in your jurisdiction and are there specific limitations to the representation of athletes, such as e.g. provisions regarding dual representation, caps on agent commissions, regulations on the protection of minor athletes?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There are indeed such national rules but only in football. The CFA has basically adopted the FIFA Agent Regulations, adapting them at national level, without implementing any additional, to the FFAR, provisions.<\/p>\n<p>As far as national legislation is concerned, there is no legislation covering athlete representation, apart from art 14 of Law 180(I)\/2017 which prohibits the persons defined there from undertaking athlete representation or advisory services. Breach of this prohibition, amounts to criminal offence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there national statutory frameworks, apart from regulations of international sports governing bodies, or cases concerning the participation of transgender athletes in competitive sport in your country? How is the issue currently regulated and\/or debated?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There are no such regulations and, to date, this matter has not yet been debated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the legal framework for e-sports in your jurisdiction? Is there a specific Statute or Code in your country or motions to implement such?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There is no national legislation dedicated to esports and, to date, there is no public information of motions to implement any such legislation or federation regulations.<\/p>\n<p>As far as federations are concerned, the CFA has in place competition regulations for electronic football.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Which has been the leading sports law case of the past year in your country?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>One of the most important sports law cases in the past year was the CAS decision against one of the biggest in terms of fans and trophies and the oldest club in the country, Anorthosis Famagusta.<\/p>\n<p>CAS essentially upheld the FIFA decision by which Anorthosis was found to be a repeat offender and, pursuant to Article 17 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, was sanctioned with a ban on registering new players for two consecutive registration periods.<\/p>\n<p>The case was particularly significant as it was the first case of this nature involving one of Cyprus\u2019 major football clubs. Given Anorthosis\u2019 history, sporting stature and large supporter base, the proceedings and the resulting registration ban attracted considerable attention, not only amongst the Club\u2019s supporters but throughout the wider Cypriot football community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What other sports law topic(s) would you highlight as being very current and relevant in your country?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>One of the most current and important sports law topics in Cyprus concerns the autonomy and independence of sports federations and, in particular, the extent to which the State may lawfully intervene in their governance and activities.<\/p>\n<p>This issue arises in a number of different contexts. These include the powers of the Police and other public authorities in relation to the regulation of supporter behaviour and the operation of the fan identification card system, as well as the substantial public funding provided by the Government to sports federations. Questions frequently arise as to how such public funds are used, what accountability and transparency obligations should apply to the federations receiving them, and the extent to which the Government may exercise supervision or impose controls without unlawfully interfering with their institutional autonomy.<\/p>\n<p>Another particularly important and highly topical issue is the criminal prosecution, for the first time, of the president of one of the country&#8217;s major sports federations. The criminal proceedings are currently pending before the competent court and, unsurprisingly, the case has attracted considerable public and media attention. It also raises broader questions concerning the governance, accountability and legal responsibilities of those holding senior positions within sports governing bodies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n<div class=\"word-count-hidden\" style=\"display:none;\">Estimated word count: <span class=\"word-count\">2169<\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/ol>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/twentyseventeen\/src\/jquery\/components\/filter-guides.js\" async><\/script><\/div>"}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide\/152302","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/comparative_guide"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=152302"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}