Equatorial Guinea Duo Handed Multi-Game Suspension for Referee Abuse at Africa Cup of Nations.
Carlos Akapo will be absent for his side's final tournament game at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The National Thunder captain Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have each 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 ruling was handed down by a governing body committee after it examined the official's match report from the Group E encounter on the weekend, a loss that sealed the side's exit from the tournament.
The official stated that the two footballers "repeatedly directed abusive and offensive remarks" towards him and his assistants following the final whistle.
"These remarks were made in a context of extreme anger related to the defeat, but nonetheless represent a serious violation of the principles of sportsmanship and conduct as well as the disciplinary regulations," added the official.
A portion of the respective bans for Akapo and Miranda have been suspended for a term of one calendar year.
Immediate Consequences
Both players will now miss their nation's last group match against their next opponents on Wednesday.
In a related development, the country's football federation has been penalized a amount of $10,000 after its technical staff and players engaged in "persistent and aggressive complaints" against calls by the officials.
The official documentation indicated there was "a steady decline in behaviour on the sidelines" after an unfortunate deflection by defender Saul Coco in the second half.
Additional Governing Body Measures
In another incident, the continental body have additionally fined Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore the amount of ten thousand dollars for "offensive remarks" made in a post-game media appearance after his team's defeat to their Group E rivals.
