Constructive meeting of the heads of the Legal Service and the Ethics and Sports Protection Committee
Multi-page finding and testimonial material regarding the manipulation of three basketball games, were received today by the heads of the Legal Service, Mr.Mr. George Savvidis and Mr. Savvas Angelidis from the Chairman and members of the Ethics and Sports Protection Committee, during their morning meeting at the Legal Service. At the meeting it was also agreed that the Commission will further exploit the legal framework governing its establishment, so that for issues related to transparency in sport, recommendations can be made to the relevant federations and organizations, in order to address with immediate corrective measures conditions that could potentially lead to complicity or corruption.
These were the words, among others, of the Attorney General of the Republic Mr. George Savides, who, on receiving the findings, described the meeting as very constructive and useful, while expressing his and the Assistant Attorney General of the Republic's absolute satisfaction with the zeal and dedication with which the Commission tackles its work. "We have many sensitivities on the issue of sport. It is certainly necessary to make full use of this tool called the Commission for Ethics and Protection of Sport, so that we can ensure as 'clean' sport as possible," the head of the Legal Service noted. To add that in the spirit of the legislation governing the establishment of the Commission, "it was agreed that, it may be possible for the Commission to further utilize its legislative framework, on the issue of education - especially at young ages - by providing seminars to young athletes, so that we can create the right education at a young age. Also, again by right given to the Commission by law, where and when it is established that there are investigations or information on issues that relate to transparency in sport, the Commission can, until the investigations are concluded, make recommendations to the various sporting authorities, the relevant federations and organisations, so that certain issues can be addressed with immediate corrective measures, in order to avoid the circumstances that gave rise to these complaints. These are allowed by the legislation and I believe that with the discussion we have had, there is a will for them to be fully utilized by the Commission."
He further indicated that investigations which will be conducted by the Commission to investigate cases where there is any involvement or corruption in sports should be conducted in the fastest possible manner, adding that the Legal Service will immediately take up the study of any complaints. "On the part of the Legal Service, we have assured the Commission that as soon as any of their complaints come to our attention, the necessary steps will be taken to forward them," the Attorney General noted, who expressed gratitude to the Chairman and members of the Commission, wishing them every success in what he described as their difficult task.
For his part, the Chairman of the Ethics and Sports Protection Committee, Dr. Andreas Kapardis, expressing thanks to the Attorney General and the Assistant Attorney General of the Republic for the meeting, said that the Committee has a close cooperation with the Police and proceeds with its work, which is multidimensional. "Part of our mission according to the law," Dr. Kapardis said, "is also to investigate allegations of corruption of specific cases in sport, which must be protected. One way in which we can do this is by investigating where and when such allegations exist. In addition to the repressive approach, I stress the importance of taking other measures, such as prevention through education, as well as other measures that we are planning to take in the future."
Referring to the finding on the basketball games delivered to the Attorney General of the Republic, Dr. Kapardis said that the Commission has done its work and has handed over its finding to the Legal Service for further action. "The finding relates to a complaint made by the Cyprus Basketball Federation regarding three matches and the Commission appointed investigating officers about ten months ago. At first sight there are, according to the finding, criminal offences but also disciplinary offences. For the criminal offences we are here today, for the disciplinary ones the Federation will be informed," he said.
Finally, the Attorney General of the Republic, in response to a question whether there is sufficient evidence to bring some people to justice, as "there is a lot of talk about chicanery, but we don't see people being brought to justice," he replied:
"These cases are among the most difficult to prove in the courts. We believe that the greatest weapon in the fight against this type of crime will be the legal interception of telephone conversations from which satisfactory testimony can be obtained which will bring cases to court. Let me remind you that this is how similar scandals have been solved in Greece, Italy and Spain. Unfortunately, it has not yet been possible to take advantage of the legislation passed in 2020 to allow for such surveillance [IN CYPRUS], but I am sure that when this is done, we will be able to have much better results. Apart from that, there have been, not many, but there have been convictions. There was a conviction of a person who bet on a football match in which he participated. There was also the registration of a criminal case, for which, unfortunately, the time that elapsed between registration and trial had the effect that some of the main witnesses changed their minds and did not want to give evidence. This raises a very serious issue, there should be a prompt adjudication of such cases. You all understand that. I must tell you that as the leadership of the Legal Service we are raising this issue in the Supreme Court, with the request that as there and where there are such cases, cases in which there is a risk that witnesses may be subjected to any pressure or change their minds for any reason, that they be given priority [IN THEIR ADJUDICATION]. I hope that this will be done."
This is the first meeting that the Ethics and Sport Protection Committee has had, under its present composition, with the heads of the Legal Service.
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