APOEL protests officiating after Aris match

APOEL Nicosia has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the officiating during their recent match against Aris, focusing on the failure of referee Dimitris Solomou to send off Leon Balogun. The club argues that Balogun should have received a second yellow card in the 50th minute for a foul on Brorsson and again during the penalty incident involving Drazic in the 77th minute. Club spokesperson Nektarios Petevinos claimed that Balogun appeared to acknowledge his impending dismissal by removing his mask and walking toward the dressing room before teammate Vana Alves signaled for him to return. Referee Solomou reportedly explained his decision by stating he did not view the penalty incident as a double-punishment scenario. APOEL officials have announced plans to request an urgent meeting with the Cyprus Football Association regarding the quality of refereeing. The club is formally calling for the appointment of foreign referees for the remainder of the playoff matches. Additionally, assistant coach Ioannis Ampatzidis was sent off during the match, a decision the club is also questioning.