Equatorial Guinea captain Carlos Akapo and forward Josete Miranda were hit with four-game bans after abusing the referee during an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match.
A review of the referee’s report from the central African nation’s 1-0 loss to Sudan on Monday (AEDT) found that the pair had “repeatedly uttered insulting” words towards match officials.
Referee Messie Nkounkou’s report cited that he and his assistants were subject to the pair’s behaviour after the full time whistle had been blown, but reiterated that the comments were made “in a context of intense anger”.
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As per the Confederation of African Football’s disciplinary guidelines, both Akapo and Miranda were found guilty of breaching the principles of respect and fair play.
An official sanction of a four-match ban was consequently imposed, with each player informed that two of those matches will be suspended for 12 months.
Carlos Akapo of Equatorial Guinea in action. DeFodi Images via Getty Images
In doing so, it means Akapo and Miranda would not return to action in the AFCON as Equatorial Guinea were unable to mathematically advance to the quarter finals.
In fact, the loss to Sudan – the first time the nation had recorded a win at AFCON since 2012 – ensured Equatorial Guinea would not be in position to qualify for the next stage.
Equatorial Guinea were unable to withstand the power of Algeria in the pair’s absence on Thursday (AEDT), suffering a 3-1 defeat in their final match of the tournament.
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Still, the pair’s bans were not the only sanction handed to the nation after the match, with a fine just shy of $15,000 AUD issued to Equatorial Guinea’s football federation.
“A progressive deterioration in behaviour on the sidelines” after Equatorial Guinea scored an own goal to put Sudan in front 1-0 was cited as the reason for the fine.
The report recognised that it was not only the behaviour of the players who were sat on the sidelines at the time that were unacceptable but also the team’s support staff.
The AFCON quarter finals will begin on Saturday, January 10 from 3am AEDT.