Equatorial Guinea Pair Handed Multi-Game Ban for Official Abuse at Afcon.

The National Thunder skipper Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have both been banned for four matches for verbally attacking the match official after their 1-0 defeat by their opponents at the 2025 Afcon.

The decision was handed down by a governing body committee after it examined the referee's report from the tournament clash on the weekend, a loss that confirmed the team's elimination from the competition.

The official stated that the two players "continually directed insulting and offensive remarks" towards him and his linesmen following the full-time whistle.

"Such comments were made in a context of extreme anger related to the loss, but nonetheless constitute a serious breach of the principles of respect and conduct as well as the disciplinary regulations," added the official.

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

Immediate Consequences

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

Meanwhile, the nation's football federation has been fined a amount of $10,000 after its technical staff and squad members engaged in "excessive and abusive complaints" against calls by the refereeing team.

The official documentation detailed there was "a progressive deterioration in conduct on the touchline" after an unfortunate deflection by defender Saul Coco in the second half.

Further Disciplinary Action

Elsewhere, the continental body have also penalized Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the sum of ten thousand dollars for "inflammatory remarks" uttered in a post-match media appearance after his side's 1-0 loss to their Group E rivals.