Equatorial Guinea Duo Handed Multi-Game Ban for Referee Verbal Assault at Africa Cup of Nations.

The National Thunder skipper Carlos Akapo and fellow squad member Josete Miranda have both been banned for four matches for abusing the match official following their 1-0 defeat by Sudan at the 2025 Afcon.

The decision was handed down by a governing body committee after it reviewed the referee's report from the Group E clash on Sunday, a loss that sealed the team's elimination from the tournament.

The referee reported that the two footballers "repeatedly directed insulting and offensive comments" towards him and his linesmen following the full-time whistle.

"These remarks were made in a atmosphere of extreme frustration related to the defeat, but nonetheless represent a serious violation of the principles of respect and conduct as well as the governing rules," noted the referee.

A portion of the individual bans for Akapo and Miranda have been suspended for a term of one year.

Immediate Impact

Both players will now miss their team's final tournament fixture against Algeria on midweek.

Meanwhile, the country's governing body has been penalized a sum of ten thousand dollars after its technical staff and squad members engaged in "excessive and abusive protests" against decisions by the officials.

The match report detailed there was "a steady deterioration in conduct on the touchline" following an unfortunate deflection by defender Saul Coco in the second half.

Additional Disciplinary Measures

Elsewhere, the tournament organizers have additionally penalized Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the amount of $10,000 for "inflammatory remarks" uttered in a post-game media appearance following his side's defeat to their Group E rivals.