VAR interventions impact Cypriot football matches

On September 7, 2026, two Cypriot football matches were significantly altered by VAR interventions, leading to the disallowance of goals in both instances. In the match between Pafos FC and Olympiacos, Ngamaleu scored in the 59th minute with a diagonal shot inside the penalty area. Referee Theodoros Sofokleous subsequently canceled the goal after a VAR review determined that a foul by Sema on Savvas had occurred during the buildup.

In a separate encounter involving Aris, player Efange celebrated a goal in the 8th minute after lofting the ball over goalkeeper Kaminski. Although referee Menelaos Antoniou initially awarded the goal, VAR operator Marios Antoniou intervened. Replays clearly demonstrated that defender Koulibaly cleared the ball before it fully crossed the goal line. Consequently, the goal was disallowed, and the match resumed with a drop ball. These incidents highlight the ongoing technical reliance on video assistant refereeing to ensure officiating accuracy in the domestic league.