AFCON 2025: Two Equatorial Guinea players suspended for referee abuse

Two Equatorial Guinea players have received suspensions for verbally abusing a referee during the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), while Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traoré has been fined for his post-match comments.

The Equatorial Guinea Football Federation announced that captain Carlos Akakpo and midfielder Josete Miranda were each given four-match bans for using offensive language toward referee Messie Nkounou of Congo.

The incident followed Equatorial Guinea’s 1–0 defeat to Sudan in their Group E game in Casablanca, a result that left the team bottom of the table.

According to the federation, two matches of the suspension are deferred for one year, meaning both players will miss two games immediately, including the team’s final group match against Algeria in Rabat.

Meanwhile, CAF’s disciplinary body has fined Burkina Faso skipper Bertrand Traoré $10,000 over remarks he made after his side’s 1–0 loss to Algeria.

Traoré, who plays for Sunderland, strongly criticised the officiating and suggested key decisions went against his team.

CAF ruled that his comments breached its code of conduct.

The Burkina Faso Football Federation later said Traoré had expressed regret and accepted responsibility for what he said.