Equatorial Guinea Duo Issued Multi-Game Ban for Official Verbal Assault at Afcon.
Carlos Akapo will be absent for his side's last tournament fixture at Afcon 2025.
Equatorial Guinea skipper Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have both been banned for four games for verbally attacking the referee after their 1-0 defeat by their opponents at the 2025 Afcon.
The decision was made by a disciplinary panel after it reviewed the official's match report from the tournament clash on the weekend, a loss that sealed the side's exit from the tournament.
The referee reported that the two players "continually uttered insulting and offensive comments" towards him and his linesmen after the final whistle.
"Such comments were delivered in a context of intense anger related to the loss, but nonetheless represent a grave breach of the standards of respect and fair play as well as the disciplinary regulations," added the official.
Two matches of the individual suspensions for Akapo and Miranda have been deferred for a term of one calendar year.
Tournament Impact
The duo will now miss their team's last group match against their next opponents on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the nation's football federation has been fined a sum of $10,000 after its technical staff and players engaged in "persistent and abusive protests" against calls by the officials.
The official documentation detailed there was "a progressive deterioration in behaviour on the touchline" after an own goal by Equatorial Guinea defender Saul Coco in the 74th minute.
Further Disciplinary Action
In another incident, the continental body have also fined Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore the sum of $10,000 for "offensive comments" uttered in a post-game interview following his team's 1-0 loss to their Group E rivals.
