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

Equatorial Guinea captain Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have both been suspended for four games for verbally attacking the referee following their 1-0 defeat by their opponents 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 result that confirmed the side's elimination from the competition.

The official stated that the two players "repeatedly directed insulting and obscene comments" towards him and his assistants following the final whistle.

"These remarks were delivered in a context of extreme anger stemming from the loss, but nonetheless constitute a grave violation of the standards of respect and conduct as well as the governing rules," noted the official.

A portion of the individual suspensions for Akapo and Miranda have been deferred for a term of one calendar year.

Immediate Impact

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

In a related development, the country's football federation has been fined a sum of ten thousand dollars after its technical staff and players engaged in "excessive and aggressive protests" against calls by the officials.

The match report detailed there was "a progressive decline in behaviour on the sidelines" after an unfortunate deflection by defender Saul Coco in the 74th minute.

Further Governing Body Action

Elsewhere, the continental body have also penalized Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore the sum of $10,000 for "inflammatory remarks" uttered in a post-match interview following his side's 1-0 loss to their Group E rivals.