APOEL defender Sastre sent off within 30 seconds of match against Omonia Aradippou

During the Cypriot First Division football match between Omonia Aradippou and APOEL held on November 1, 2026, APOEL defender Joan Sastre was shown a straight red card just 30 seconds after the opening whistle. The dismissal occurred following a dangerous tackle by the Spanish defender on Omonia Aradippou player Gonzalez.

Referee Kyriakos Athanasiou immediately ejected Sastre for the challenge, which involved the player making contact with his studs during the foul on Gonzalez. This incident forced APOEL to play the remainder of the match with ten men, leaving the team at a significant numerical disadvantage early in the contest. The rapid nature of the red card has been noted as a potential negative record in the league's history, as the defender was sent off before the match had barely begun.