Cypriot participation in international motorsport has come to a standstill following a sweeping decision by the Cyprus Automobile Association (CAA) to suspend all national competition licenses. The move has caused widespread disruption, barring local drivers from taking part in events abroad, including a major rally in neighboring Greece.
Cypriot Drivers Blocked from Competing Internationally
A number of Cypriot rally drivers, who were scheduled to participate in this week’s Fthinoporino Rally, part of the Greek national championship, were barred from competing after the CAA revoked all licenses late last week. This decision extends beyond rallying and is affecting competitors across multiple motorsport disciplines.
Despite efforts by six Cypriot drivers to obtain licenses from Greece’s national motorsport authority, OMAE, all requests were reportedly rejected due to intervention from the CAA, which, as the FIA-recognized ASN (National Sporting Authority) for Cyprus, has the authority to block such transfers.
Selective Impact Raises Eyebrows
Interestingly, not all Cypriot-licensed drivers are affected. Two-time European Rally Champion Alexey Lukyanuk, who races under the Cypriot flag, was permitted to compete in the Rallye Villa de Teror in Spain even while the CAA’s suspension remained in place.
Domestically, motorsport continues in Cyprus, but the FIA now regards these competitions as unrecognized, further deepening the crisis.
FIA Bulletin at Center of Controversy
Sources close to the matter have indicated that such a sweeping license suspension should have been accompanied by an official FIA bulletin, raising questions about procedural oversight. As of now, no public clarification from the FIA has been made.
Drivers Speak Out: “We Are Not Criminals”
Prominent Cypriot rally driver and president of the Cyprus Motorsport Athletes Association, Constantinos Sioferos, is among those unable to compete internationally. Expressing frustration, he stated:
“We don’t feel our ASN respects us. They have taken away licenses without reason. We are not criminals. We are athletes who love this sport. Yet every time, we are punished. Enough is enough. This is not about politics. It is about respect for athletes. Motorsport belongs to the competitors.”
Cyprus Rally Cancelled Amid Administrative Chaos
The Cyprus Rally, once a key fixture in the World Rally Championship (WRC) and scheduled to serve as the finale of the 2025 Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), has been abruptly cancelled. It is understood this was due to the CAA’s inability to secure government funding and necessary permits to organize the event.
Official CAA Statement: FIA Directives Behind Suspension
On September 26, the CAA issued a statement citing an official FIA decision dated September 25, 2025, addressed to Cyprus government authorities. The FIA directive included three critical points:
- All motorsport events held in Cyprus are now classified as Unrecognized Competitions.
- All FIA competition licenses held by Cypriot nationals are rendered invalid, and new licenses will not be issued.
- FIA has formally notified all 245 national sporting authorities that license holders from their countries are prohibited from participating in Cyprus-based events.
CAA Blames State Actions for Breakdown with FIA
The CAA attributed the current crisis to the Cyprus government’s decision to remove the CAA from the Cyprus Sports Organization (CSO)’s registry, which effectively stripped it of its national sporting authority. This, according to the CAA, undermines the international status of the FIA as a world governing body.
“The CAA expresses its deep disappointment,” the statement said, “as the decisions of the competent state authorities have severed the long-standing and excellent relations of our country with the world’s largest Sporting Federation… harming motorsport and its competitors, Cypriot sport in general, as well as Cyprus’s broader interests — political, economic, cultural, and social.”
Behind the Scenes: Pressure Mounts for Resolution
The Cyprus Motorsport Federation, which has held limited organizing powers since a 2012 agreement with the CAA, is now attempting to secure special permission for Cypriot athletes to compete in upcoming international events.
Meanwhile, the Cyprus Ministry for Education, Sports and Youth has reportedly reached out to the FIA to explore possible solutions. Internal sources within Cypriot motorsport describe the issue as part of a long-running conflict involving the CAA, the CSO, and the Ministry itself.
One senior insider said:
“This is a CAA decision – we cannot demand [the FIA] to do something but we are putting pressure on them to change the CAA’s decision.”
Motorsport Community Left in Limbo
As the situation continues to unfold, Cypriot athletes and teams are left uncertain about their future on the international stage. Until a resolution is reached between the CAA, the Cyprus government, and the FIA, Cypriot competitors remain sidelined – victims of a larger institutional struggle.
