Equatorial Guinea Duo Handed Four-Match Ban for Official Verbal Assault at Afcon.

Equatorial Guinea captain Carlos Akapo and fellow squad member Josete Miranda have each been suspended for four matches for abusing the match official following their narrow loss by their opponents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The decision was made by a disciplinary panel after it reviewed the referee's report from the Group E clash on Sunday, a loss that confirmed the team's exit from the tournament.

The official stated that the two footballers "repeatedly uttered abusive and offensive comments" towards him and his assistants after the final whistle.

"Such comments were delivered in a atmosphere of extreme anger related to the defeat, but nevertheless constitute a serious breach of the standards of respect and conduct as well as the governing rules," added the official.

A portion of the individual bans for Akapo and Miranda have been deferred for a period of one year.

Tournament Consequences

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

In a related development, the country's football federation has been fined a amount of ten thousand dollars after its coaching team and squad members engaged in "persistent and aggressive protests" against decisions by the officials.

The official documentation indicated there was "a steady decline in behaviour on the touchline" following an unfortunate deflection by defender Saul Coco in the 74th minute.

Additional Governing Body Action

Elsewhere, the continental body have additionally fined Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore the amount of ten thousand dollars for "offensive comments" made in a post-match media appearance following his team's defeat to their Group E rivals.