Investigation launched following Cyprus shooting team withdrawal in Greece

On October 4, the Cypriot men's skeet team withdrew from the final of the European Shooting Championship held in Malakasa, Attica. This incident triggered a significant dispute among sports authorities in Cyprus, characterized by public accusations and a formal conflict involving the Cyprus Shooting Federation (SKOK), the Cyprus Sports Organization (KOA), and the Committee of Ethics and Sports Protection (EDPA).

The controversy escalated when the vice-president of the EDPA, Efthymios Efthymiou, alleged that information from a private meeting with the KOA had been leaked to the SKOK, describing the act as "spying." In response, the SKOK submitted a formal complaint regarding the public statements made by Efthymiou. The KOA is currently investigating the circumstances of the withdrawal, having requested detailed documentation from the federation, including the official match sheet and details regarding an ongoing inquiry by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).

While the KOA continues its probe, the president of the EDPA, Stefanos Skordis, stated that the matter does not fall under the committee's mandate. The authorities are awaiting further evidence from the athletes and the shooting federation to conclude their investigation into the reasons behind the mid-competition departure.