NICOSIA, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Allegations about administering doping substances intravenously to Cypriot footballers to enhance their performance spiraled on Tuesday, prompting Justice Minister Jonas Nicolaou to call for a thorough and complete investigation into the issue.
Two footballers of first division Alki soccer club of Larnaca, Panayiotis Frangeskou, 27, and Panayiotis Loizides, 23, originally complained to the police on Nov. 1 that they developed identical heart problems after being administered unknown substances intravenously.
Since then another two cases surfaced of soccer players developing heart problems after having been given intravenous injections, one of them being a younger brother of Frangeskou.
All four footballers were forced to give up playing soccer as doctors told them their conditions are life threatening.
"It is a very-very serious matter," Nicolaou told the state broadcaster CyBC on Tuesday.
"It involves athletes who have put in a great deal of effort in order to compete in the first division of the football league, which is highly demanding, and the issue must be investigated in depth," he added.
Police have already questioned officials of Alki soccer club, including the team's coach, members of its medical team and the man who allegedly administered the intravenous injections.
Nicolaou strongly deplored the actions of people, who, he said, for the sake of personal profit, exploited the willingness of the young athletes to enhance their performance.
Alki chairman Andys Loppas denied any wrongdoing by his club and claimed that it was not correct that the two players had identical heart problems.
He claimed that the issue emerged because of "professional rivalries" which he did not specify.
Police investigators probing the allegations have requested the Ministry of Health to assist by providing information about existing legislation and about the substances which were administered intravenously.
They said they wanted to know whether the substances were legally licensed.
The president of Pancyprian Football Association, Spyros Neophytides, said the issue being investigated is just the tip of the iceberg.
He told SuperSport FM, a local sports radio on Tuesday, that from information revealed, it seems that more than one club are being involved in the issue.
