Rezili. That's Putting It Nicely: The Troubling Decline of Cypriot Football

by Stel Stylianou
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"A lot needs to change. We are not the only ones to blame." - Pieros Sotiriou

Pieros Sotiriou's candid post-match interview quote struck a chord that resonates deeply within the hearts of Cypriot football enthusiasts. Beyond the visible struggles on the field, the Cypriot national football team's continued decline reflects a complex web of issues. These issues extend far beyond the tactical shortcomings and poor man-management skills attributed to coach Ketsbaia. It is, in essence, a tale of systemic rot within the Cypriot Football Association (CFA), a narrative tainted by corruption, nepotism, and unchecked egos, all conspiring to undermine the very foundations of football on this Mediterranean island. Regrettably, this is an open secret within the Cypriot football community – a truth known to all, yet spoken of by few.

The Fear Factor in Cypriot Football

Within Cypriot football circles, a culture of silence prevails. Whistleblowing is akin to walking a tightrope over a pit of vipers. Shocking reports of podcast hosts and journalists allegedly receiving death threats from individuals associated with football club presidents have sent shockwaves through the sports journalism community. Furthermore, referees have become targets of violence, with bomb attacks on their cars a chilling reminder of the dangers that lurk beneath the surface of the beautiful game.

The Youth Conundrum

The Cypriot national team's woes are deeply rooted in a flawed system that fails to nurture young talent. While it's true that the lack of investment in youth academies and the top clubs' reluctance to field Cypriot players are significant contributing factors to the national team's demise, the rot goes even deeper.

The Toothless Minimum Cypriot Player Selection Rule

One glaring issue lies in the CFA's minimum requirement for Cypriot players in a club's starting lineup. Clubs are currently obligated to include at least two Cypriot players, or else they face a trifling fine that hardly puts a dent in their finances. This lenient punishment renders the rule ineffective, allowing clubs to exploit it with impunity.

The Citizenship Loophole

Clubs have astutely exploited this gaping loophole. Players who have resided on the island for five years can apply for Cypriot citizenship, making them eligible to represent the national team. Although this doesn't exempt them from the non-Cypriot player slot, clubs have found a workaround. They recruit foreign teenage players, primarily from Eastern Europe, South America, and Africa, nurturing them through their academies. When these players are promoted to the first team, they are classified as "homegrown," conveniently sidestepping the need for local talent in the starting lineup. The debate over the pros and cons of this approach can wait for another day, but the stark reality remains – clubs are increasingly unwilling to invest in homegrown talent.

The Humiliation on the Pitch

Losing 6-0 to a world-class Spanish national team is not a disgrace. Even Georgia, who defeated Cyprus 2-1 in June, suffered a 7-1 loss to Spain just days earlier. Up until the third goal, the Cypriot players displayed commendable effort, and a 2-0 defeat would have been considered respectable. However, the humiliation wasn't the heavy loss but rather the finger-pointing directed at CFA president Koumas and head coach Ketsbaia.

Ketsbaia's Troubling Tenure

Ketsbaia's post-match comments following heavy defeats to Scotland and Spain should have warranted his dismissal. The Georgian coach has a reputation for being outspoken and critical of his players. Unfortunately, his selections and tactical choices have become predictable. It's evident that he favours players he knows from his time at Anorthosis, which often results in players in top form being relegated to the bench or limited to cameo appearances.

The Plight of Promising Players

The plight of promising players like Ioannis Pittas, who has scored four goals in six games for AIK in Sweden this season, is a testament to Ketsbaia's questionable decisions. Pittas played only 73 minutes across two matches against Scotland and Spain.

Marinos Tzionis, a standout winger for Sporting KC, faced even worse treatment, with just 40 minutes of play out of a possible 180.

*At least Tzionis is clocking up the air miles*

Left-back Kostas Pileas, selected in last season's team of the year, received only 29 minutes on the left side of midfield against Spain, raising questions about Ketsbaia's choices. The exclusion of Pileas from the starting line-up has become a major talking point, fuelled by rumoured personal disputes from their time together and Ketsbaia's seemingly unwavering faith in Correia (a player he coached at Anorthosis).

Ketsbaia's Tactical Missteps

Ketsbaia's tactical decisions have also come under scrutiny. His penchant for playing players out of position, like deploying central defender Stelios Andreou as a right wingback and central midfielders Ioannis Kousoulos and Alex Gogic as center-backs, has raised eyebrows. Furthermore, central defender Konstantinos Laifis was fielded in midfield against Scotland, while Correia, a conservative left-back, was tasked with playing left wingback, a position demanding qualities not associated with the player. These tactical choices have led to multiple managerial sackings elsewhere, but Ketsbaia remains seemingly immune.

Facing the Uncomfortable Truth

In the aftermath of the heavy defeat to Spain, Ketsbaia's comments were riddled with inaccuracies. He claimed that most of his players hadn't played many minutes this season, an assertion contradicted by statistics. In fact, the starting 11 had played more minutes this season than their Spanish counterparts, making Ketsbaia's excuses seem unfounded.

No Accountability, No Progress

Regrettably, both CFA president Koumas and head coach Ketsbaia appear immune to the consequences of their actions. They seem content with the status quo, devoid of ambition or pressure to succeed. The result is a national team that seems adrift, a shadow of its former self, while fans, disillusioned by a lack of faith in the team, stay away in droves.

The continued decline of Cypriot football is a multifaceted crisis, with no easy solutions in sight. Until the systemic issues plaguing the sport are addressed with urgency and transparency, the once-proud footballing nation of Cyprus will continue to grapple with its downward spiral, leaving its supporters to wonder whether "rezili" might indeed be putting it too kindly.