National Thunder Duo Handed Four-Match Ban for Official Abuse at Africa Cup of Nations.
The team captain will be absent for his side's final group game at Afcon 2025.
Equatorial Guinea captain Carlos Akapo and fellow squad member Josete Miranda have each been banned for four matches for abusing the referee following their 1-0 defeat by their opponents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The ruling was made by a governing body committee after it examined the official's match report from the tournament encounter on the weekend, a loss that confirmed the side's elimination from the competition.
The referee reported that the two players "repeatedly directed insulting and obscene remarks" towards him and his linesmen following the final whistle.
"Such comments were made in a context of extreme anger stemming from the loss, but nevertheless represent a serious violation of the standards of respect and fair play as well as the governing rules," noted the referee.
A portion of the individual suspensions for the two players have been deferred for a period of one calendar year.
Tournament Consequences
The duo will now miss their nation's final tournament fixture against their next opponents on midweek.
Meanwhile, the country's governing body has been fined a sum of ten thousand dollars after its technical staff and squad members engaged in "excessive and abusive protests" against decisions by the refereeing team.
The official documentation indicated there was "a steady deterioration in conduct on the touchline" after an unfortunate deflection by defender Saul Coco in the second half.
Further Disciplinary Measures
In another incident, the tournament organizers have also fined Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the sum of $10,000 for "offensive comments" made in a post-game interview following his side's 1-0 loss to their Group E rivals.
