Fuente : UEFA (English)
http://www.uefa.com/

UEFA Champions League: Cypriot football in mourning

/noticias.info/ Anorthosis Famagusta FC captain Nikos Nikolaou could miss the Cypriot club's UEFA Champions League tie against Rangers FC in the aftermath of Sunday's air crash in Greece.

Out of national squad
Nikolaou has already dropped out of his country's midweek FIFA World Cup qualifier in the Faroe Islands, having learned of the deaths of four of his relatives in the tragedy of Helios Airways flight ZU 522. The 32-year-old midfield player lost his uncle, aunt and their two daughters when the plane headed from Larnaca to Prague via Athens, crashed into mountains near the Greek capital killing all 121 passengers and crew.

Club sympathy
With Nikolaou's participation in the third qualifying round second leg in Glasgow in doubt, an Anorthosis official said: "It is a decision we will leave totally up to him."

Rangers statement
Rangers today issued the following statement: "Everyone at Rangers FC would like to express our sincere condolences to the family of Nikos Nicolaou on their recent loss." The Scottish side, who lead the tie 2-1, will hold discussions with Anorthosis about how best to mark the disaster at Ibrox stadium next Wednesday.

Match official among victims
The tragedy has touched the whole Cypriot footballing community. Confirmed among the dead was 44-year-old assistant referee Andreas Mavris, whose brothers Christakis and Nicos are former top-flight professionals. Mavris, whose wife also perished, had officiated at a friendly match between Nea Salamis FC and APOEL FC on Saturday.

In mourning
Theodoros Doumas, 38, a medical officer with Olympiakos Nicosia FC, was killed along with his wife and three young children. Meanwhile, Ethnikos Ashias FC are mourning club director Georgos Iacovou who was also on board the flight.

'Deepest sadness'
Cyprus Football Association (CFA) president Costakis Koutsokoumnis spoke for all concerned with the national game when he said: "The CFA and those in the travelling party to the Faroe Islands express our deepest sadness over this tragic event. We offer our warmest condolences to the families of the victims."

UEFA condolences
UEFA Chief Executive Lars-Christer Olsson added: "We would like to extend our sincere condolences to the families of those involved in the Cypriot air disaster. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time." notas_de_prensa_archivo