Equatorial Guinea Pair Handed Multi-Game Suspension for Official Abuse at Africa Cup of Nations.

The National Thunder skipper Carlos Akapo and fellow squad member Josete Miranda have both been suspended for four matches for abusing the referee following their 1-0 defeat by their opponents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The decision was handed down by a governing body committee after it reviewed the referee's report from the tournament clash on Sunday, a result that confirmed the side's exit from the tournament.

The referee reported that the two players "continually directed abusive and offensive comments" towards him and his assistants following the final whistle.

"Such comments were made in a atmosphere of extreme frustration stemming from the defeat, but nonetheless constitute a grave breach of the principles of sportsmanship and fair play as well as the disciplinary regulations," added the referee.

Two matches of the individual suspensions for Akapo and Miranda have been suspended for a term of one calendar year.

Immediate Consequences

The duo will now miss their team's last group match against their next opponents on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the country's football federation has been penalized a amount of ten thousand dollars after its coaching team and squad members engaged in "excessive and abusive protests" against decisions by the officials.

The official documentation indicated there was "a progressive decline in conduct on the sidelines" following an unfortunate deflection by Equatorial Guinea defender Saul Coco in the second half.

Further Disciplinary Measures

Elsewhere, the continental body have also fined Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the sum of $10,000 for "inflammatory comments" uttered in a post-match media appearance following his side's defeat to Angola.