Equatorial Guinea captain Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have been suspended for four games for insulting the referee following their 1-0 loss to Sudan at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
A Confederation of African Football (CAF) disciplinary panel made the decision after reviewing the referee’s report from Sunday’s Group E match, which resulted in the National Thunder’s departure from the competition.
Messie Jessie Nkounkou Mvoutou, the referee, alleged that the two players “repeatedly uttered insulting and obscene remarks” against him and his assistants after the final whistle.
“These remarks were made in a context of intense anger related to the defeat but nevertheless constitute a serious breach of the principles of respect and fair play as well as the CAF disciplinary regulations,” added the Congolese official.
Two of Akapo and Miranda’s bans have been suspended for one year.
Both players will miss the National Thunder’s last group round match against Algeria on Wednesday (16:00 GMT).
Meanwhile, the country’s football federation (Feguifut) was fined $10,000 (£7,435) after its technical staff and players staged “excessive and abusive protests” against referees’ rulings.
Mvoutou’s report stated that there was “a progressive deterioration in behavior on the sidelines” following Equatorial Guinea defender Saul Coco’s own goal in the 74th minute.
CAF has fined Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore $10,000 (£7,435) for “offensive remarks” made in a post-match interview during the Stallions’ 1-0 loss to Angola in Group E on Sunday.
