Offenses involving incitement to commit a criminal offense, harassment of a public official, abuse of power, deceit and abuse of trust by a public official, neglect of office and dealing with agents alleging corruption, are being investigated by the Limassol Police Department. Arbitration of the KOP, who was detained for 56 days by the Limassol District Court at noon.
Read here the announcement of the Referees Association on the occasion of the arrests
According to the investigator of the case, there is a written complaint that the suspect, during 2010 - 2011 who was a member of the Arbitration Committee of the KOP, in 4 different cases tried to persuade a referee to alter the result in favor of specific teams of his choice, in exchange for the development and its positive evaluation, despite any dietary errors.
The specific referee from Limassol, in his testimony, stated that the suspect started calling him in 2010, in order to help specific games of specific teams, "and asked him to help teams belonging to the right wing, ie the DISY party. ».
In total, the referee referred to four games for which he received phone calls from the 56-year-old and specifically for a match of C` category between Spartakos Kitiou and Digeni Oroklini, a match of D` category held between Konstantinos and Euripides Trachoniou against Finikas Agios Marinos and Chrysos U21 between Aris Limassol - Omonia Nicosia and Paphos - Omonia Nicosia.
The suspect initially refused to answer any question, while today he submitted in a written statement some allegations that are being investigated.
The police pointed out to the court that this is a very serious case, which is related to the written complaints made by the referee Marios Panagi and if the suspect is released, it can affect the testimonies that will be taken in the coming days.
Specifically, he continued, so far 15 deposits have been received and the offices of the KOP have been investigated, while more than 30 deposits are expected to be received from the Nicosia and Limassol Provinces - by presidents and agents of the 8 teams involved, by 6 specific referees and a supplementary deposit by the complaining referee. Also, a testimony will be received from the other members of the arbitration committee of the KOP who served with the suspect, from members of the Board of Directors of the Federation and from his family and professional environment.
The defense lawyer did not object to the request of the Police to detain the suspect for a period of 4 days, a request which was approved by the Court.
On Friday, the Court decides on the detention of M. Argyrou
On Friday morning, the Nicosia District Court will decide whether Michalis Argyrou, who was arrested yesterday in connection with the case concerning the complaints of referee Marios Panagis for match-fixing in the Cypriot championship, will remain in custody.
Answering a question from KYPE on the matter, Police Spokesman Andreas Angelidis stated that in today's trial, the Court ordered that Mr. Argyrou remain in custody tonight to decide tomorrow morning whether his detention will be extended.
The request of the Police was that an arrest warrant be issued for the suspect for four days.
Michalis Argyrou is the President of the Referees Association.