Cypriot player union announces increase of women's players on board of directors

• PASP announced it had strengthened the presence of women’s players on its board to four at its recent general assembly
  
  
• The issue of men’s second and third divisions players being put on 150 EUR contracts – below the national minimum wage – was also in focus
  
  
• PASP revealed plans of its new headquarters, to be completed in early 2029, reflecting the growth of the player union

Cypriot player union PASP held their general assembly on Tuesday 18 March where they announced an increase in the number of women’s players sitting on their board of directors.

Cyprus midfielder Filippa Savva and former national team captain Andria Michael have joined existing members Loucretia Chrysostomou and Xenia Georgiou on the 17-person board.

All four players, each capped at senior international level, provide a strong player voice for the union and with their lived experiences are well equipped to help tackle the challenges faced by women’s footballers in Cyprus – many of which Michael highlighted when writing for FIFPRO earlier this year.

"Equality is about action – not words," said PASP’s Executive President Spyros Neofitides. "It’s important for us as a union to have a strong presence of women’s players on our board to not only reflect our women members, but to keeping pushing the Cyprus Football Association on key issues in women’s football."

In November 2019, Cyprus women’s national team players launched an initiative to acquire the same working conditions as the men’s national team, such as training facilities, daily allowances and equipment. It resulted in Cyprus’ parliament bringing in legislation to eliminate inequality between men’s and women’s national sports teams in 2023.

Not all sports, however, have adhered to this ruling – and in the case of football, stark inequalities remain. Indeed, the union recently highlighted how Cyprus women’s national team players had not even been equipped with the current kit and trainingwear by the federation, with players also releasing a statement via the union which said, "we still have a long way to go to reach equal benefits for our expenses".

"We are currently going through the office of the Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Cyprus to ensure the FA follow Cypriot law on this issue," Neofitides said.

Neofitides also announced at the general assembly that construction will soon begin on the union’s new headquarters. Plans for this central hub includes new offices for employees, an auditorium, education centre and meeting rooms for members and reflects the growth of PASP. It is estimated that the project will be completed in early 2029.

"We want this to be a multipurpose venue where members can benefit from seminars and educational courses, and where we also have our own space to host events," said Neofitides.

Why PASP is encouraging players to go to court over contracts

Also in focus at PASP’s general assembly was the issue of players being put on contracts below Cyprus’ national minimum wage – an issue affecting a considerable number of players in the country’s second and third divisions.

While the national minimum wage for workers in Cyprus is set at 1,000 EUR, the Cyprus Football Association’s minimum for professional contracts is 150 EUR. It has resulted in some clubs using this loophole not to pay players the national minimum wage and, in some cases, allegedly forge contracts.

Three officials from a second division club were arrested last month following an investigation into alleged contract fraud.

According to Cyprus' philenews, the investigation centred on allegations that contracts submitted to the Cyprus Football Association differed from actual agreements made with players. At least one contract is suspected to have been forged without the player’s knowledge.

"The arrests happened because players found the courage to come forward," said Neofitides.