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

The National Thunder captain Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have both been banned for four matches for abusing the referee after their 1-0 defeat by their opponents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The ruling was made by a disciplinary panel after it reviewed the official's match report from the Group E encounter on the weekend, a result that confirmed the side's elimination from the competition.

The referee reported that the two footballers "repeatedly directed insulting and obscene remarks" towards him and his linesmen after the final whistle.

"These remarks were delivered in a atmosphere of intense frustration related to the defeat, but nonetheless constitute a serious breach of the principles of respect and conduct as well as the governing rules," added the referee.

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

Tournament Consequences

Both players will be unavailable for their team's final tournament fixture against Algeria on Wednesday.

In a related development, the country's governing body has been penalized a amount of $10,000 after its technical staff and players engaged in "persistent and aggressive protests" against decisions by the refereeing team.

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

Further Governing Body Measures

Elsewhere, the continental body have additionally fined Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore the amount of $10,000 for "inflammatory remarks" made in a post-match interview after his side's defeat to their Group E rivals.