PASP is the Cyprus Footballers’ Association. It represents both local and foreign footballers employed in Cyprus. PASP is an official member of FIFPRO, the World Players’ Union. Throughout their careers, PASP members receive ongoing protection, support, legal advice, and enjoy a wide range of discounts from PASP partner businesses.
As a PASP member, you not only receive assistance and guidance to secure the best possible working environment, but you are also part of an organization that strives to use the positive nature of football to influence society as a whole.
Strong Unity
When you become a PASP member, you are making a powerful statement that you are not alone. You join the footballers’ family in Cyprus and abroad, gaining protection and support from your Association.
In recent years, PASP has achieved, among other things, the following:
Implementation of minimum standards in professional player contracts, as agreed by UEFA, FIFPRO, ECA, EPFL, and the EU.
Legislative amendments ensuring equal benefits for men and women at the national team level.
Adoption in Cyprus of a standardized professional contract guaranteeing all agreed minimum employment terms, mandatory for all clubs since January 2016.
Enforcement of a decree establishing a minimum wage.
Monthly audits by the Cyprus Football Association Licensing Authority to ensure clubs comply with player payment obligations.
Players’ right to appeal cases to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, after exhausting local appeals.
Free movement of players aged 15 and older.
Strategic plan for 2022–2025.
Transfer rights for non-professional players during the January transfer window, provided their club agrees.
Loan transfer rights extended to the January transfer window.
Creation and implementation of a protocol for preventing heat stress in athletes.
Memorandum of Understanding on tackling violence in sporting venues.
Solid Support Base
PASP is a member of FIFPRO, the World Players’ Union, which represents more than 66,000 footballers, including names such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. FIFPRO was founded in 1965 and today includes 72 national players’ associations, along with several candidate and observer members.
The statement “FIFPRO supports players” and our mission “FIFPRO is the exclusive collective voice of professional footballers worldwide” are guiding principles. These two foundations underpin all of FIFPRO’s activities.
#WORLDPLAYERSUNITED
The World Players Association (part of the global trade union UNI Global Union) is the leading voice of organized professional athletes in the governance of world sport. It represents 85,000 athletes across professional sports through more than 100 player associations in over 60 countries, including FIFPRO, EU Athletes, FICA, NBPA, and many others.
Advice from Former Players
PREPARATION
- Think about the future, plan, and prepare
- Gain work experience and qualifications
- Sport is not everything — you will be retired one day
SAVINGS
- Take care of your money
- Don’t spend all your earnings
- Be financially prudent
APPRECIATION
- Appreciate your playing days
- Don’t forget to enjoy it
- You’ll miss it when it’s over
SUPPORT
- Use the players’ association
- Leverage your sports networks and connections with former players
- Build strong family and friendship bonds
- Seek emotional and psychological guidance if you need it
NETWORKING
- Build connections and seek good advice
- Use your status and experience to open doors
- Consider finding a mentor
PASP Goals
The Association’s goals are numerous and are reviewed annually according to the needs of PASP and its members. Once certain objectives are achieved, new ones are added to continue the vision of PASP’s growth and empowerment.
The unification and organization of footballers, regardless of Cypriot or foreign nationality, to address and resolve their issues as well as challenges facing Cypriot football.
Maintaining and improving relationships among Association members and fostering a spirit of mutual assistance and solidarity.
Regulating relationships between Association members and their clubs, the Cyprus Football Association, the Cyprus Sports Organization, the Cyprus Olympic Committee, and any other person, organization, institution, association, or entity related to football or sports.
Providing any form of assistance and support to members, as well as responding to any legal, fair, reasonable, and legitimate requests made by members.
Offering cultural, social, and sporting services to the community.
Taking all necessary measures to combat violence in football and sports in general.
Maintaining a non-partisan character, refraining from any party-political activity.
Taking all necessary measures to prevent the politicization and partisanship of football.
Securing the necessary conditions for the development of Cypriot football and creating suitable environments for the organization of competitions.
Establishing and promoting relationships with footballers’ associations abroad and enrolling in international footballers’ unions.
Creating a network to promote players and open new opportunities for them.
Ensuring player contracts are paid on time as agreed.
Introducing and implementing the Red Button app to combat match-fixing and protect members.
Participating in European Erasmus+ programs related to football.
Establishing new offices to also operate as a training and service center for Association members.
8
Reasons to Join the Association
As a trade union, FIFPRO and its 72 national member associations support footballers worldwide in their workplace. FIFPRO works daily on behalf of more than 66,000 male and female players. Professional footballers have the same rights as any other worker in any other industry. Here are eight reasons to join a players’ union:
Better, fairer working conditions
Collective bargaining
Legal support
Safe working environment
Learning and development opportunities
Health support
Support for unemployed players
The right to join a players’ union
The key objectives and parameters for PASP’s development
PASP supports footballers and its mission is to be the exclusive collective voice of all players competing in Cyprus. Some of PASP’s core development objectives are reflected in the following key parameters.
1
Training and education of members
2
Match-fixing awareness – seminars and training against manipulated matches
3
Athlete insurance coverage – Provident funds
4
Social contribution – Juniors protection – Charity initiatives
5
Sports events – Activities – Award ceremonies
6
Research – Scientific studies
7
Mental health prevention and support program for footballers during and after their playing careers
8
Increasing the Association’s revenue and ensuring PASP’s financial stability for the future
9
Closer relationships and cooperation with all football stakeholders (CFA, CSO, Ministry of Commerce)
10
Strengthening PASP’s role and position within FIFPRO
Vision
The following 8 strategic principles from FIFPRO’s strategy document also reflect PASP’s vision and strategy for the coming years: