Nea Salamina protests refereeing and VAR decisions following Apollon match

On October 17, 2026, Nea Salamina expressed intense dissatisfaction regarding refereeing and VAR decisions during their 4-2 defeat to Apollon Limassol. The controversy centered on a critical second-half moment when a potential equalizing goal by Giouis was disallowed for offside after a VAR check. The club’s president, Paris Andreou, and representative to the Cyprus Football Association (CFA), Elenios Kouklis, publicly criticized the match officials. Kouklis specifically demanded explanations from CFA officials Foivos Vakis and Antonio Damato, stating he was ashamed to be part of the association’s board.

Following the match, the club intensified its campaign against the current refereeing system. The team has officially requested that the CFA re-examine its arbitration framework. Tensions escalated when the CFA issued an explanation regarding how VAR offside lines are drawn, which appeared visually inconsistent with field markings. In response, President Andreou sarcastically questioned the validity of the pitch lines, further highlighting the club's ongoing friction with the league’s officiating. Reports indicate this is not an isolated incident, as Nea Salamina has raised similar complaints in four of its away games this season.