Alpha News

APOEL Files Complaint Against Referee Menelaos Antoniou

Published January 19, 2026, 12:36

APOEL has filed an official complaint against referee Menelaos Antoniou with the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) and the head of referees, following the derby match against Apollon. The 'blue and yellows' management claims that the refereeing decisions determined the outcome of the game. Specifically, they consider the penalty awarded to Apollon in the 8th minute to be incorrect, while protesting the non-award of a penalty to APOEL in the 35th minute for a foul on Drazic. Furthermore, the capital club questions the sending-off of Beletz, arguing that the referee attempted to correct his initial wrong decision. APOEL describes the refereeing decisions as a result of 'lack of ability'.