Ricardo Sa Pinto returns to Antonis Papadopoulos stadium amidst high security

Pafos FC coach Ricardo Sa Pinto returned to the Antonis Papadopoulos stadium in Larnaca on October 10, 2026, marking his first appearance at the venue since a highly controversial incident three years prior. During his previous tenure as manager of APOEL, an altercation at the same stadium resulted in a four-month touchline ban for the Portuguese coach, though he still led the team to a championship victory that season.

Upon his arrival for the match against Anorthosis, Sa Pinto faced intense booing and hostility from the home crowd. Due to the high-profile nature of his return and the history of friction, security measures around the Pafos FC bench were significantly bolstered. Twelve security personnel were stationed directly behind the visiting team's technical area to prevent further incidents. Despite the heightened tensions and the memory of his past suspension, the event proceeded under strict oversight.