Equatorial Guinea Pair Issued Multi-Game Suspension for Referee Abuse at Afcon.
Carlos Akapo will miss his side's last tournament game at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The National Thunder skipper Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have both been suspended for four matches for abusing the referee after their 1-0 defeat by their opponents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The decision was handed down by a disciplinary panel after it examined the referee's report from the tournament encounter on the weekend, a loss that confirmed the team's elimination from the tournament.
The referee stated that the two players "continually directed abusive and obscene remarks" towards him and his linesmen following the full-time whistle.
"These remarks were delivered in a context of extreme anger stemming from the defeat, but nonetheless constitute a grave violation of the principles of respect and fair play as well as the disciplinary regulations," noted the referee.
Two matches of the respective bans for Akapo and Miranda have been deferred for a term of one calendar year.
Immediate Impact
The duo will be unavailable for their nation's last tournament fixture against Algeria on Wednesday.
In a related development, the nation's governing body has been penalized a sum of ten thousand dollars after its technical staff and players engaged in "excessive and aggressive protests" against decisions by the officials.
The official documentation indicated there was "a steady decline in conduct on the touchline" after an unfortunate deflection by defender Saul Coco in the 74th minute.
Additional Governing Body Measures
Elsewhere, the continental body have also penalized Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore the amount of $10,000 for "offensive remarks" made in a post-match media appearance following his team's 1-0 loss to their Group E rivals.
