National Thunder Pair Issued Multi-Game Suspension for Referee Abuse at Africa Cup of Nations.

Equatorial Guinea captain Carlos Akapo and teammate Josete Miranda have each been suspended for four matches for abusing the match official after their 1-0 defeat by Sudan at the 2025 Afcon.

The decision was handed down by a disciplinary panel after it reviewed the official's match report from the tournament encounter on the weekend, a loss that confirmed the side's elimination from the competition.

The official reported that the two footballers "continually directed insulting and obscene remarks" towards him and his linesmen after the final whistle.

"Such comments were made in a context of intense anger stemming from the loss, but nonetheless represent a serious breach of the standards of sportsmanship and fair play as well as the governing rules," added the official.

A portion of the individual suspensions for the two players have been deferred for a period of one calendar year.

Tournament Consequences

The duo will now miss their nation's last tournament fixture against Algeria on midweek.

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

The match report indicated there was "a steady decline in conduct on the touchline" after an own goal by defender Saul Coco in the 74th minute.

Additional Governing Body Measures

Elsewhere, the tournament organizers have additionally penalized Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the sum of $10,000 for "offensive comments" uttered in a post-game interview following his team's 1-0 loss to Angola.