National Thunder Duo Issued Four-Match Ban for Official Verbal Assault at Afcon.
Carlos Akapo will miss his side's final tournament game at Afcon 2025.
The National Thunder skipper Carlos Akapo and fellow squad member Josete Miranda have both been banned for four games for verbally attacking the match official after their 1-0 defeat by their opponents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The decision was handed down by a disciplinary panel after it reviewed the referee's report from the tournament clash on the weekend, a loss that confirmed the side's exit from the competition.
The official reported that the two players "repeatedly uttered insulting and obscene comments" towards him and his linesmen following the final whistle.
"Such comments were delivered in a atmosphere of intense frustration related to the loss, but nonetheless represent a serious violation of the standards of respect and fair play as well as the disciplinary regulations," noted the official.
A portion of the individual suspensions for Akapo and Miranda have been suspended for a period of one year.
Immediate Consequences
The duo will be unavailable for their team's final group match against their next opponents on midweek.
Meanwhile, the nation's football federation has been fined a amount of $10,000 after its technical staff and players engaged in "excessive and abusive protests" against decisions by the refereeing team.
The match report indicated there was "a progressive deterioration in behaviour on the sidelines" after an unfortunate deflection by Equatorial Guinea defender Saul Coco in the second half.
Further Disciplinary Measures
In another incident, the continental body have additionally penalized Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the sum of ten thousand dollars for "offensive comments" made in a post-match interview following his side's 1-0 loss to their Group E rivals.
