This archive report was first published on 15 May 2020.
On 15 March, Cyprus suspended its football championship after reporting its first COVID-19 cases. Now, the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) has officially ended the 2019-2020 season, citing health risks for players and staff.
According to the CFA, the current protocols would not allow teams to properly prepare for games, which could lead to players being seriously injured. The CFA statement emphasized the health of all those involved, from footballers to technical staff and stadium employees.
The championship was at the play-off stage with nine rounds of fixtures remaining. Omonia Nicosia and Anorthosis Famagusta were tied at the top with 46 points each, while champions APOEL were six points behind.
Despite calling off the season, the CFA allocated spots for European competition to Omonia Nicosia, Anorthosis Famagusta, APOEL, and Apollon Limassol. The CFA also decided to increase top-flight teams to 14, up from the current 12, to accommodate two promoted sides.
However, it remains unclear whether the CFA will award the league title to anybody or how that will be decided. The fate of the women's Division One League has also not been issued a verdict.
Kenya's Harambee Starlets duo, Annedy Kundu and Ruth Ingotsi, are currently in Cyprus at Lakatamia Football Club, where they joined the team early this year. The team has been in existence since 1998.
