Equatorial Guinea Duo Handed Multi-Game Ban for Referee Verbal Assault at Afcon.

Equatorial Guinea skipper Carlos Akapo and fellow squad member Josete Miranda have both been banned for four games for verbally attacking the match official after their narrow loss by their opponents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

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

The official stated that the two footballers "continually uttered insulting and obscene remarks" towards him and his linesmen following the full-time whistle.

"Such comments were made in a atmosphere of extreme anger stemming from the defeat, but nonetheless represent a serious breach of the principles of respect and fair play as well as the governing rules," added the official.

A portion of the respective suspensions for Akapo and Miranda have been deferred for a period of one year.

Immediate Impact

The duo will be unavailable for their team's last tournament fixture against Algeria on Wednesday.

In a related development, the nation's football federation has been fined a amount of ten thousand dollars after its coaching team and players engaged in "excessive and aggressive protests" against decisions by the officials.

The match report indicated there was "a progressive deterioration in behaviour on the touchline" after an own goal by Equatorial Guinea defender Saul Coco in the second half.

Additional Disciplinary Action

Elsewhere, the tournament organizers have also fined Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the sum of ten thousand dollars for "offensive comments" made in a post-game media appearance following his side's defeat to their Group E rivals.