Filippos Georgiou talks about a 12-team championship from the period 2027/28 with two teams being relegated directly and one playing a play-off.
In detail:
Dear President, dear colleagues
This proposal is submitted in a spirit of cooperation and constructive dialogue, with the sole aim of improving and progressing Cypriot football. The author of the proposal does not claim infallibility nor does he believe that the suggestions included are the only correct approach. Instead, it welcomes any informed suggestion, modification or improvement from the clubs, footballers, coaches, agents and relevant bodies. The essence of the proposal is not in the individual details, but in the need to open a serious and meaningful dialogue on the future of the sport, guided by the collective interest and its long-term development.
This proposal aims to create a more competitive, economically viable, transparent and developmental football model, which will strengthen the clubs, the players, the fans and overall Cypriot football for decades to come.
This reform can form the basis for a new era in Cypriot football, with more credibility, better infrastructure, greater competitiveness and substantial development of the Cypriot footballer. I inform you that it has been shared with Pafos fc and will also be given to the media.
Sincerely,
Philip Georgiou
(Pafos FC Spokesperson)
Vice President KOP
PROPOSAL FOR THE RESTRUCTURING AND MODERNIZATION OF CYPRUS FOOTBALL FROM THE 2027/28 SEASON
Import
This proposal aims to create a more competitive, sustainable, developmental and commercially attractive model for Cypriot football.
The main objectives are:
– Increasing competitiveness.
– Improving the quality of matches.
– The reduction of the duration of the championships.
– The reduction of the stress of football players.
– The development of Cypriot footballers.
– The financial viability of unions.
– The upgrading of football infrastructure.
– The increase in commercial revenue and the promotion of Cypriot football.
– Strengthening transparency and good administration.
1. Transition period 2026/27
For a smooth transition to the new structure:
– 3 teams from the 1st Division are relegated.
– Only 1 team from the 2nd Division is promoted.
In this way, the First Division will be formed into 12 teams from the 2027/28 season
2. League structure from 2027/28
First Class
– 12 teams.
– 22 regular season matches.
– Division into two groups in the second phase.
B’ Category
– 12 teams.
– 22 regular season matches.
– Division into two groups of 6 teams.
– 5 additional playoffs/playouts only (single round).
Category III
– 20 teams.
– 2 groups of 10 teams.
– Geographical separation where possible.
– 18 regular season matches.
Objectives:
– Reduction of travel costs.
– More local derbies.
– Strengthening the sustainability of unions.
– Better fan attendance.
3. Promotion and relegation system
A and B Category
– The bottom two teams are directly relegated.
– The first two teams in the lowest division are promoted directly.
– The team finishing 3rd from the end competes in a single play-off match with the team finishing 3rd in the lower division for a place in the higher division.
Category III
– The champions of the two groups are directly promoted to the 2nd Division.
– The teams that finish in 2nd and 3rd place of each group participate in promotion playoffs.
– The playoffs are held with two semi-finals and one final in single matches.
– The winner of the playoffs secures the third and final promotion spot in the B-Division.
– The last two teams of each group should be ranked in STOCK.
4. Competition calendar and protection of footballers
– The Super Cup should always be the first official match of each new season.
– The Cup final should be the last official match of the H¨ season
– The Cup final to be held no later than May 15.
– The KOP should shape the competition calendar in a way that ensures sufficient time for recovery and preparation.
Additionally:
– To ensure at least 3 weeks of complete rest for all football players after the completion of their competitive duties and before the start of the preparation of the new season.
5. Cyprus Cup
Semifinals
The two semi-finals to be held on different days:
– Tuesday
– Wednesday
Cup final
The final shall be held in rotation per year at:
– GSP
– AEK Arena
– Alphamega Stadium
In case of taking place at AEK Arena or Alphamega Stadium:
– To reduce the number of tickets granted to KOP.
– To reduce the number of tickets granted to sponsors.
– To increase the number of tickets available to the fans of the two finalists.
6. Development of Cypriot footballers
B and C Category
– Mandatory participation of at least 3 Cypriot footballers under the age of 21 in the starting eleven.
– Maximum number of 4 foreign or Community footballers per team.
7. U19 Championships
– The right to participate up to 2 footballers from List B of the first team.
– Maximum number of 5 foreign or Community footballers per team.
8. B teams
To allow A’ Division teams to maintain a B’ team from the 2027/28 season
Conditions:
– Participation in the 2nd or 3rd Category.
– No promotion to the First Division.
– Not to compete in the same category as the first team.
– In the case of promotion position, the position should be transferred to the next eligible group.
9. Cypriotisations of footballers
– Not to promote the Cypriotization of foreign footballers over the age of 32 (who meet the conditions)
– Every case to be approved only with the consent of the Federal Coach of the Cyprus National Team.
10. Financial support of associations
Ranking bonus
Establishing a ranking bonus similar to the model applied by UEFA in League Phase competitions.
Relegation Bonus
Creation of a support fund for relegated teams for a period of 1-2 years.
Promotion Fund
The teams promoted:
– From the 3rd to the 2nd Category.
– From B to A Category.
receive a guaranteed minimum amount so they can create a competitive and sustainable budget.
11. Sponsorships and Television Rights
First Class
To implement a new, serious and transparent process of finding sponsors.
Basic principles:
– Not just a central sponsor.
– Different sponsorship categories.
– Different investment levels.
– Different commercial benefits and visibility.
– Maximum transparency in agreements.
The process should include:
– Open call for interest.
– Clear commercial criteria.
– Professional offer evaluation.
– Public accountability for sponsorship agreements.
B and C Category
– Finding a major central sponsor for both categories.
Television rights
– Central management of television rights.
– Fairer revenue distribution.
– Incentives for investments in academies and Cypriot footballers.
12. Upgrade of pitches
The KOP, the KOA and the unions to create a joint stadium upgrading program.
Budget:
– €500,000 – 750,000 per year.
Target:
– Upgrade of at least 2 Category B or C pitches every year.
The tasks should include:
– Lighting.
– Turf.
– Changing rooms.
– Grandstands.
– Disabled infrastructure.
– Security systems.
13. Stadium criteria for promotion to the First Division
Each team that is promoted to the 1st Division must have:
– either its own licensed stadium,
– either an approved stadium within a radius of up to 30 kilometers from its physical headquarters.
14. Transfer periods
– The summer transfer window should end on September 7.
– The winter transfer period to be completed on 7/2
Target:
– Greater flexibility for Cypriot teams.
– Access to more available football player options.
– Better racing and financial planning.