Equatorial Guinea Pair Issued Multi-Game Suspension for Referee Verbal Assault at Afcon.

Equatorial Guinea skipper Carlos Akapo and fellow squad member Josete Miranda have both been suspended for four matches for verbally attacking the match official following their 1-0 defeat by their opponents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The decision was handed down by a governing body committee after it reviewed the referee's report from the tournament 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 final whistle.

"Such comments were made in a atmosphere of extreme anger stemming from the defeat, but nevertheless represent a grave breach of the principles of respect and fair play as well as the governing rules," added the official.

Two matches of the respective suspensions for the two players have been deferred for a term of one year.

Tournament Impact

The duo will now miss their team's last group match against their next opponents on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the nation's football federation has been penalized a amount of ten thousand dollars after its coaching team and squad members engaged in "persistent and aggressive protests" against calls by the officials.

The match report detailed there was "a steady deterioration in behaviour on the sidelines" after an unfortunate deflection by defender Saul Coco in the 74th minute.

Further Governing Body Action

In another incident, the continental body have additionally fined Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the amount of ten thousand dollars for "offensive remarks" uttered in a post-game media appearance following his side's 1-0 loss to their Group E rivals.