National Thunder Pair Handed Multi-Game Ban for Referee Verbal Assault at Africa Cup of Nations.

Equatorial Guinea captain Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have both been suspended for four matches for verbally attacking the referee after their narrow loss by their opponents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The ruling was handed down by a governing body committee after it examined the official's match report from the Group E clash on the weekend, a loss that sealed the team's exit from the tournament.

The referee reported that the two players "repeatedly directed insulting and obscene comments" towards him and his assistants following the full-time whistle.

"Such comments were delivered in a atmosphere of extreme anger related to the defeat, but nevertheless represent a grave breach of the principles of sportsmanship and fair play as well as the disciplinary regulations," added the official.

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

Immediate Consequences

The duo will be unavailable for their nation's final tournament fixture against Algeria on midweek.

Meanwhile, the country's governing body has been penalized a amount of ten thousand dollars after its coaching team and squad members engaged in "persistent and abusive protests" against calls by the refereeing team.

The official documentation indicated there was "a steady decline in conduct on the touchline" following an unfortunate deflection by Equatorial Guinea defender Saul Coco in the second half.

Additional Disciplinary Measures

Elsewhere, the tournament organizers have also penalized Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore the sum of $10,000 for "inflammatory remarks" made in a post-game media appearance following his side's defeat to their Group E rivals.