Equatorial Guinea Duo Issued Multi-Game Ban for Referee Abuse at Africa Cup of Nations.
Carlos Akapo will be absent for his side's last tournament fixture at Afcon 2025.
Equatorial Guinea skipper Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have each been banned for four matches for abusing the match official following their narrow loss by Sudan at the 2025 Afcon.
The ruling was made by a disciplinary panel after it examined the referee's report from the tournament clash on the weekend, a loss that sealed the team's elimination from the competition.
The official stated that the two players "repeatedly uttered abusive and offensive comments" towards him and his linesmen after the full-time 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 disciplinary regulations," added the referee.
Two matches of the individual bans for the two players have been deferred for a term of one calendar year.
Immediate Impact
The duo will now miss their team's final group match against their next opponents on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the nation's football federation has been penalized a sum of $10,000 after its technical staff and squad members engaged in "persistent and aggressive protests" against calls by the officials.
The match report detailed there was "a progressive deterioration in conduct on the touchline" after an unfortunate deflection by defender Saul Coco in the 74th minute.
Further Governing Body Measures
Elsewhere, the tournament organizers have additionally penalized Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the sum of ten thousand dollars for "offensive remarks" uttered in a post-match media appearance following his team's 1-0 loss to their Group E rivals.
