Equatorial Guinea Pair Issued Four-Match Ban for Referee Verbal Assault at Africa Cup of Nations.

The National Thunder skipper Carlos Akapo and fellow squad member Josete Miranda have each been suspended for four games for verbally attacking the match official following their narrow loss by their opponents at the 2025 Afcon.

The ruling was made by a disciplinary panel after it examined the official's match report from the tournament clash on Sunday, a result that sealed the team's exit from the competition.

The official stated that the two footballers "repeatedly directed insulting and obscene comments" towards him and his assistants following the full-time whistle.

"Such comments were made in a atmosphere of intense frustration stemming from the loss, but nonetheless represent a grave breach of the principles of sportsmanship and fair play as well as the disciplinary regulations," noted the referee.

A portion of the individual suspensions for Akapo and Miranda have been suspended for a period of one calendar year.

Immediate Impact

Both players will be unavailable for their nation's last group match against Algeria on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the nation's football federation has been fined a sum of $10,000 after its technical staff and squad members engaged in "persistent and aggressive complaints" against calls by the refereeing team.

The official documentation indicated there was "a steady decline in conduct on the sidelines" following an unfortunate deflection by defender Saul Coco in the 74th minute.

Further Governing Body Measures

Elsewhere, the continental body have also fined Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the amount of ten thousand dollars for "inflammatory comments" made in a post-match interview after his side's 1-0 loss to their Group E rivals.