AEL Limassol protests sanctions and VAR integrity following Cafu ban

AEL Limassol has formally condemned the Cyprus Football Association (KOP) following the six-match suspension imposed on their player Carlos Miguel Ribeiro Dias, known as Cafu, for his actions during the match against APOEL on September 6, 2026. The club's request to postpone the disciplinary hearing until a full investigation into potential unauthorized interference with the VAR process could be conducted was rejected by the Disciplinary Committee, which maintained that the complaint regarding the VAR protocol falls under a different institutional jurisdiction.

Beyond the suspension, AEL expressed intense dissatisfaction with the league's disciplinary consistency, citing perceived leniency in previous cases, including the cup final involving Pafos FC and Apollon. The club has publicly criticized KOP president Charis Loizidis, accusing the federation of altering charges to protect other teams. In response to these developments, AEL supporters gathered outside a meeting of club presidents and KOP officials to protest the perceived lack of transparency.

The situation remains tense, with AEL vowing to defend its player until the end. While the federation has proceeded with the player's ban, the club continues to demand access to communication records between production crews and VAR officials to verify if established protocols were followed without external influence.