Cyprus Football Association announces referees for league and cup matches

The Cyprus Football Association (CFA) has officially announced the refereeing appointments for the upcoming matches in the Cyprus League by Stoiximan and the Coca-Cola Cup. For the second phase of the league, matches scheduled for May 1-3, 2026, will feature a mix of local and foreign officials. In the first group, Omonia Nicosia versus Aris Limassol will be officiated by Kyriakos Athanasiou, while Apoel Nicosia versus AEK Larnaca and Apollon Limassol versus Pafos FC will be handled by foreign referees Edgars Malcevs and Lasse Graagaard, respectively. In the second group, foreign referees Koppel Karl and Pavle Ilic are assigned to the matches between Olympiakos Nicosia and Omonia Aradippou, and Akritas Chlorakas against Ethnikos Achnas. Additionally, the CFA confirmed that Italian referee Livio Marinelli will officiate the Coca-Cola Cup semi-final second leg between Apoel Nicosia and Apollon Limassol on April 29, 2026, assisted by Aleandro Di Paolo on VAR. Local media highlights that these appointments reflect a strategic decision by the Referee Committee chairman, Antonio Damato, to employ foreign officials primarily for high-stakes survival and competitive matches.