By Akinwale Kasali
The 2025 African Cup of Nations, AFCON, Championship hosted by Morocco has come and gone, but the Confederation of African Football, CAF, is still wielding the big stick on Teams over misconduct during, and after games played at the tournament.
The Algerian National Team, popular as the Desert Foxes or Fennecs, has been handed multiple sanctions by CAF following misconduct during and after the Quarter-Final match against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, CAF announced that its Disciplinary Board convened to deliberate on incidents arising from the Group-stage encounter on January 10, 2026, and reached several decisions.
CAF Disciplinary Board decision read: “Suspend Algeria player Luca Zidane for two (2) CAF official matches with the Algeria national team for misconduct.
“Suspend Algeria player Rafik Belghali, player for four (4) CAF official matches with the Algeria national team, for aggressive and intimidating behaviour towards the match referee at the end of the match.
“However, two (2) matches are suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year, starting from the date of the present decision.”
The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) was also hit with a series of fines totalling USD 100,000 over the conduct of its players, officials, and supporters.
These include: “Impose a fine of USD 5,000 on the Algerian Football Federation for the conduct of the senior (“A”) national team, having received five (5) cautions (yellow cards) during the match, in violation of Article 130(a) of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
“Impose a fine of USD 25,000 on the Algerian Football Federation due to the inappropriate behaviour of its players and officials at the end of the match, which brought the match into disrepute, in violation of Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
“Impose a fine of USD 5,000 on the Algerian Football Federation for the use of smoke devices by its supporters.”
Other fines include “a fine of USD 5,000 on the Algerian Football Federation for the throwing of objects by its supporters.
“Impose a fine of USD 10,000 on the Algerian Football Federation for failure to comply with security measures, due to the behaviour of its supporters who attempted to force the security barriers.
“Impose a fine of USD 50,000 on the Algerian Football Federation for offensive and abusive gestures (displaying banknotes) committed by its supporters towards the match officials.”
CAF did not announce any sanctions against the Nigerian team in relation to the match.
Recall that the incident occurred immediately after the final whistle in the match, where Super Eagles advanced with goals that Algerian players and fans disputed, particularly over an alleged missed penalty call in their favour.
Videos circulating on social media showed Algerian players confronting referees and engaging in physical altercations, escalating tensions that also involved fans throwing projectiles and security lapses.
In response, the FAF has confirmed it will appeal the sanctions,arguing that the penalties are disproportionate and calling for a review of the match officiating.
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