Tensions between AEL Limassol and APOEL escalate over VAR and Cafu

A dispute between AEL Limassol and APOEL has intensified following their match on September 6, 2026. AEL has officially requested that the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) release the findings of an arbitration committee investigation into an alleged unauthorized third-party intervention in the VAR process during their encounter. AEL argues that established protocols were violated and demands transparency regarding the incident.

Simultaneously, the two clubs are at odds over the disciplinary case of AEL player Carlos Miguel Ribeiro Dias, known as Cafu, who received a six-match ban. AEL has filed an appeal against this sanction, which is scheduled to be heard by the CFA on October 5, 2026, at 16:00. APOEL has rejected accusations of wrongdoing and has countered by highlighting past disciplinary issues involving AEL players to challenge their claims of victimization.

While the CFA has completed its preliminary investigation into the VAR incident based on FIFA and IFAB protocols, the formal results have not been publicly disclosed. Both clubs continue to exchange public statements, reflecting ongoing concerns about transparency and the integrity of the competitive process in Cypriot football.