AEL Limassol challenges six-match ban for Cafu and questions VAR integrity

AEL Limassol has officially challenged the six-match suspension imposed on their player Carlos Miguel Ribeiro Dias, known as Cafu, following his expulsion during the APOEL versus AEL match on September 6, 2026. The disciplinary committee of the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) rejected AEL’s request to postpone the hearing while an internal investigation into the VAR review process and potential unauthorized external interference could be conducted. The club is demanding full access to audiovisual data and logs from the match to ensure protocol compliance.

In addition to the player's ban, AEL has been prohibited from moving fans for one away game. The club leadership, led by concerns over the fairness of disciplinary procedures, has publicly attacked CFA President Haris Loizides, citing historical grievances such as the handling of the previous season's cup final. This tension led to protests by AEL supporters outside a meeting between club presidents and the CFA leadership at a hotel in Limassol on September 17. The club is currently considering filing a formal appeal against the six-match ban, with spokesperson Nikolas Leventis stating that the club is exploring all legal avenues to defend the player.