National Thunder Pair Issued Four-Match Suspension for Official Verbal Assault at Africa Cup of Nations.

Equatorial Guinea skipper Carlos Akapo and fellow squad member Josete Miranda have each been banned for four games for verbally attacking the referee following their 1-0 defeat by their opponents at the 2025 Afcon.

The decision was handed down by a disciplinary panel after it examined the referee's report from the Group E clash on the weekend, a loss that confirmed the side's exit from the tournament.

The referee stated that the two players "continually directed abusive and offensive remarks" towards him and his assistants after the final whistle.

"Such comments were made in a context of intense anger stemming from the defeat, but nevertheless represent a grave violation of the principles of sportsmanship and conduct as well as the disciplinary regulations," added the official.

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

Immediate Impact

The duo will be unavailable for their team's final group match against Algeria on Wednesday.

In a related development, the nation's governing body has been penalized a amount of $10,000 after its coaching team and squad members engaged in "persistent and aggressive complaints" against decisions by the refereeing team.

The official documentation detailed there was "a steady deterioration in conduct on the touchline" after an own goal by defender Saul Coco in the 74th minute.

Further Governing Body Measures

Elsewhere, the tournament organizers have additionally penalized Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the amount of $10,000 for "offensive remarks" uttered in a post-match media appearance following his side's defeat to their Group E rivals.