After losing to Sudan at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), Equatorial Guinea captain Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda were both suspended for four games for violating the referee.
The decision was taken by a African Football Confederation (Caf) disciplinary panel after it reviewed the referee’s report from the Group E clash on Sunday, which resulted in the National Thunder exiting the tournament.
Following the full-time whistle, referee Messie Jessie Nkounkou Mvoutou claimed that the two players “repeatedly uttered insulting and obscene remarks” toward him and his assistants.
The Congolese official continued, “These remarks were made in a context of intense anger related to the defeat, but they still constitute a serious violation of the Caf disciplinary rules as well as the principles of respect and fair play,” the official added.
Wednesday (16:00 GMT) will both players miss the National Thunder’s final group game against Algeria.
In addition, the nation’s football federation (Feguifut) was fined $10, 000 (£7,435) after its technical staff and players “protested excessively and violently” against officials’ decisions.
After Equatorial Guinea defender Saul Coco scored an own goal in the 74th minute, Mvoutou’s report stated there was “a progressive deterioration in behavior on the sidelines.”
related subjects
- Sport in Africa
- Football
Source: BBC
Leave a Reply