Doxa Katokopias faces scrutiny over tactical substitution loophole

Doxa Katokopias has triggered a debate regarding the Cyprus Football Association's (KOP) regulations requiring the presence of at least five Cypriot players in the starting lineup. During the first two matches of the B Division season, the team reportedly exploited a loophole by starting the required number of Cypriot players only to substitute one of them within the first two minutes of the game. This tactic allows the club to increase the number of foreign or EU players on the pitch shortly after kickoff.

In a recent response to the controversy, KOP spokesperson Konstantinos Siampoullis addressed the issue during a broadcast on Supersport 104. He acknowledged that the federation is aware of the situation and noted that the current practice requires evaluation. Siampoullis suggested that the regulation is likely to be amended in the future to prevent such tactical maneuvers that undermine the intent of the homegrown player rule.