Equatorial Guinea Pair Issued Four-Match Suspension for Referee Abuse at Africa Cup of Nations.

Equatorial Guinea skipper Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have each been suspended for four matches for verbally attacking the referee following their narrow loss by Sudan at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The ruling was handed down by a disciplinary panel after it reviewed the official's match report from the tournament clash on Sunday, a result that sealed the team's exit from the tournament.

The referee stated that the two footballers "continually uttered abusive and obscene remarks" towards him and his assistants following the final whistle.

"These remarks were made in a atmosphere of extreme anger stemming from the defeat, but nevertheless represent a grave breach of the principles of sportsmanship and conduct as well as the governing rules," added the official.

Two matches of the respective bans for Akapo and Miranda have been suspended for a term of one year.

Tournament Impact

The duo will be unavailable for their nation's last tournament fixture against their next opponents on Wednesday.

In a related development, the country's governing body has been fined a sum of ten thousand dollars after its coaching team and players engaged in "excessive and aggressive protests" against decisions by the officials.

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

Further Governing Body Action

In another incident, the continental body have also penalized Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the amount of ten thousand dollars for "inflammatory remarks" uttered in a post-game media appearance following his team's 1-0 loss to Angola.