Referee controversy follows APOEL victory over Aris

During the APOEL vs. Aris football match held on April 5, 2026, APOEL officials expressed strong dissatisfaction with the performance of referee Dimitris Solomou. The controversy centered on the referee's decision not to issue a second yellow card to Aris player Leon Balogun, specifically regarding a challenge on Drazic that resulted in a penalty in the 77th minute. APOEL's press representative Nektarios Petevinos questioned the officiating and stated the club intends to request a meeting with authorities and advocate for the use of foreign referees in future matches. Referee Solomou reportedly defended his decision by stating that he did not interpret the foul as a double-jeopardy situation warranting both a penalty and an expulsion. Critics have labeled the officiating as poor, citing multiple errors during the match. Despite the dispute, the game concluded with a victory for APOEL.