Equatorial Guinea Pair Issued Multi-Game Ban for Referee Abuse at Africa Cup of Nations.
Carlos Akapo will miss his nation's last group game at Afcon 2025.
The National Thunder captain Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have each been banned for four games for abusing the referee following their narrow loss by Sudan at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The decision was handed down by a disciplinary panel after it examined the official's match report from the tournament clash on Sunday, a loss that sealed the side's exit from the tournament.
The referee stated that the two players "repeatedly uttered insulting and offensive comments" towards him and his linesmen following the full-time whistle.
"Such comments were made in a context of intense frustration stemming from the loss, but nonetheless represent a serious breach of the principles of respect and fair play as well as the governing rules," added the official.
Two matches of the respective suspensions for Akapo and Miranda have been deferred for a term of one year.
Tournament Impact
Both players will now miss their team's final group match against Algeria on Wednesday.
In a related development, the country's governing body has been penalized a sum of $10,000 after its coaching team and players engaged in "persistent and abusive complaints" against calls by the officials.
The match report indicated there was "a progressive deterioration in behaviour on the touchline" after an unfortunate deflection by defender Saul Coco in the second half.
Further Governing Body Measures
Elsewhere, the continental body have also penalized Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore the sum of $10,000 for "inflammatory remarks" made in a post-game media appearance following his team's defeat to Angola.
