APOEL management clarifies responsibility after elimination from European competition

Following a 0-2 loss to Apollon, APOEL has officially been eliminated from European competition for the upcoming season. Manager Pablo Garcia initially claimed full responsibility for the failure, but the club's Board of Directors subsequently issued a public statement clarifying that they, as the governing body, hold the primary responsibility. During post-match comments on May 10, Garcia criticized the officiating, alleging that the fourth official mocked the team regarding the use of foreign referees. He also pointed to systemic issues throughout the season, including uncertain investment plans involving Brazilian investors and problematic squad planning. The board acknowledged the failure to meet objectives and recognized the frustration of the fans, whom they praised for their continued support. The leadership promised future actions to demonstrate their collective and individual accountability. Preparations for the next season are expected to prioritize long-term planning to avoid repeating these failures.