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

The National Thunder captain Carlos Akapo and fellow squad member Josete Miranda have each been banned for four matches for verbally attacking the match official after their narrow loss by Sudan at the 2025 Afcon.

The decision was made by a disciplinary panel after it examined the referee's report from the tournament clash on the weekend, a loss that sealed the side's elimination from the tournament.

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

"These remarks were delivered in a atmosphere of intense frustration related to the defeat, but nonetheless represent a grave breach of the principles of respect and conduct as well as the governing rules," added the referee.

Two matches of the respective suspensions for the two players have been suspended for a period of one calendar year.

Immediate Consequences

Both players will now miss their team's final tournament fixture against Algeria on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the nation's football federation has been penalized a amount of $10,000 after its coaching team and players engaged in "persistent and abusive protests" against decisions by the officials.

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

Further Governing Body Action

Elsewhere, the tournament organizers have also fined Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore the sum of ten thousand dollars for "inflammatory comments" made in a post-match media appearance after his team's 1-0 loss to their Group E rivals.