National Thunder Duo Issued Multi-Game Suspension for Official Verbal Assault at Africa Cup of Nations.
The team captain will miss his side's final tournament game at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The National Thunder captain Carlos Akapo and fellow squad member Josete Miranda have both been suspended for four games for abusing the referee after their 1-0 defeat by their opponents at the 2025 Afcon.
The ruling was handed down by a disciplinary panel after it reviewed the referee's report from the Group E encounter on the weekend, a loss that sealed the team's elimination from the competition.
The official reported that the two players "repeatedly directed insulting and offensive remarks" towards him and his assistants after the full-time whistle.
"Such comments were made in a context of intense frustration related to the loss, but nonetheless represent a serious breach of the principles of respect and fair play as well as the disciplinary regulations," noted the referee.
Two matches of the respective suspensions for the two players have been deferred for a term of one year.
Immediate Impact
The duo will be unavailable for their nation's last tournament fixture against their next opponents on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the nation's governing body has been penalized a sum of $10,000 after its coaching team and players engaged in "persistent and aggressive complaints" against calls by the refereeing team.
The official documentation detailed there was "a steady decline in behaviour on the sidelines" following an own goal by defender Saul Coco in the second half.
Further Governing Body Measures
In another incident, the tournament organizers have additionally fined Stallions skipper Bertrand Traore the amount of $10,000 for "offensive remarks" made in a post-match media appearance following his team's 1-0 loss to their Group E rivals.
