National Thunder Pair Issued Multi-Game 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 abusing the match official following their 1-0 defeat by Sudan at the 2025 Afcon.

The decision was handed down by a disciplinary panel after it examined the referee's report from the Group E encounter on Sunday, a result that sealed the side's exit from the competition.

The referee stated that the two players "continually directed abusive and offensive comments" towards him and his assistants after the full-time whistle.

"Such comments were delivered in a atmosphere of intense frustration stemming from the loss, but nevertheless constitute a serious breach of the principles of respect and conduct as well as the disciplinary regulations," added the referee.

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

Tournament Impact

Both players will be unavailable for their nation's last group match against Algeria on midweek.

Meanwhile, the nation's football federation has been fined a amount of $10,000 after its technical staff and players engaged in "persistent and aggressive protests" against calls by the officials.

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

Further Disciplinary Action

In another incident, the continental body have additionally fined Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the amount of $10,000 for "inflammatory remarks" made in a post-match interview following his side's defeat to Angola.