VAR interventions overturn two key decisions in AEL vs. Paphos match

During the second half of the football match between AEL and Paphos FC on February 15, 2026, referee Kyriakos Athanasiou overturned two significant decisions following VAR reviews. In the 50th minute, Athanasiou initially awarded a penalty to AEL after Guesand's challenge on Natel at the Alphamega Stadium. However, Croatian VAR official Igor Pajac called for an on-field review, which revealed a preceding foul by Conceicao against an opponent, identified as either Nikola Ioannou or Mimovic. As a result, the penalty was cancelled and an offensive foul was awarded against AEL. Seven minutes later, in the 57th minute, Paphos player Zaza scored a goal that appeared to give his team the lead. Another VAR review determined that a foul had been committed on Natel at the beginning of the attacking phase by the player Pepe. The referee subsequently disallowed the goal and awarded a free kick to AEL. These two interventions by the technology significantly altered the flow of the match within an eight-minute period.