National Thunder Duo Issued Four-Match Ban for Referee Verbal Assault at Africa Cup of Nations.

The National Thunder skipper Carlos Akapo and fellow squad member Josete Miranda have each been banned for four matches for abusing the referee following their 1-0 defeat by their opponents at the 2025 Afcon.

The decision was made by a disciplinary panel after it reviewed the referee's report from the tournament encounter on the weekend, a loss that confirmed the team's elimination from the tournament.

The official stated that the two players "continually directed abusive and obscene comments" towards him and his assistants following the full-time whistle.

"Such comments were made in a context of intense frustration stemming from the defeat, but nonetheless represent a serious breach of the standards of sportsmanship and fair play as well as the governing rules," noted the referee.

A portion of the respective suspensions for Akapo and Miranda have been deferred for a term of one year.

Immediate Impact

Both players will be unavailable for their nation's final tournament fixture against Algeria on midweek.

Meanwhile, the nation's football federation has been penalized a sum of ten thousand dollars after its technical staff and players engaged in "excessive and aggressive complaints" against calls by the refereeing team.

The official documentation indicated there was "a steady decline in conduct on the touchline" following an own goal by defender Saul Coco in the second half.

Additional Governing Body Measures

In another incident, the continental body have additionally penalized Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore the amount of $10,000 for "inflammatory remarks" made in a post-match interview following his team's defeat to Angola.