AEL Limassol appeals six-match ban for Cafu amid match-fixing probe

On September 21, 2026, AEL Limassol officially filed an appeal against the Cyprus Football Association’s (CFA) judicial committee decision to impose a six-match suspension on player Carlos Miguel Ribeiro Dias, known as Cafu. The sanction followed an incident during an AEL vs. APOEL match, where Cafu was accused of spitting at an opponent. The player has publicly contested the ruling, claiming the recorded action was merely gum falling from his mouth. AEL management has since escalated the situation by filing a formal complaint with the Cyprus Police, alleging external, unauthorized interference in the VAR system during the game.

The situation has intensified following an internal CFA Refereeing Committee report that purportedly confirmed procedural irregularities regarding VAR, which AEL characterizes as a historic vindication. Meanwhile, the Ethics and Sports Protection Committee has launched an official three-month investigation into potential match-fixing and disciplinary violations. APOEL has strongly criticized AEL’s conduct, calling the allegations a "theater of the absurd" and citing past disciplinary issues in Poland involving the player. The legal proceedings and the Ethics Committee inquiry are ongoing, with further investigations expected to involve the review of VAR audio logs.