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

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

The decision was handed down by a disciplinary panel after it examined the official's match report from the Group E encounter on the weekend, a loss that sealed the team's exit from the tournament.

The referee reported that the two players "continually directed abusive and offensive remarks" towards him and his linesmen after the final whistle.

"Such comments were made in a atmosphere of intense frustration stemming from the defeat, but nonetheless represent a serious breach of the standards of sportsmanship and conduct as well as the disciplinary regulations," noted the referee.

Two matches of the respective bans for Akapo and Miranda have been suspended for a term of one year.

Tournament Impact

Both players will be unavailable for their team's last tournament fixture against their next opponents on midweek.

In a related development, the country's football federation has been penalized a sum of $10,000 after its coaching team and squad members engaged in "persistent and aggressive complaints" against calls by the refereeing team.

The official documentation detailed there was "a progressive decline in conduct on the touchline" following an own goal by Equatorial Guinea defender Saul Coco in the 74th minute.

Further Disciplinary Measures

In another incident, the continental body have also fined Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the sum of $10,000 for "inflammatory remarks" uttered in a post-match media appearance following his team's defeat to their Group E rivals.