Cyprus Football Association completes investigation into APOEL vs AEL match VAR incident

The Cyprus Football Association (KOP) has concluded its investigation into a controversial incident during the APOEL versus AEL match in the 6th round of the Cyprus League by Stoiximan. The inquiry, led by the Arbitration Committee under Antonio Damato, focused on the operational procedures of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system following the dismissal of the player Kafu for allegedly spitting at Limnios.

The association confirmed that while the red card decision itself was correct according to FIFA and IFAB protocols, there were procedural irregularities regarding how the incident was brought to the attention of the VAR team and how the review process was activated. The KOP highlighted that the VAR has the authority to review red-card offenses, such as spitting, even after the match has resumed, aiming to uphold officiating integrity.

Moving forward, the KOP intends to impose sanctions where necessary based on the findings of the investigation. Furthermore, the federation is implementing specific measures to ensure strict compliance with VAR protocols to prevent similar procedural errors in future matches. This investigation did not challenge the final on-field decision made by the referee following the review.