The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has launched a comprehensive investigation into alleged misconduct involving players, team officials, and other accredited individuals during two high-profile quarter-final matches at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 tournament.
The investigation concerns incidents that reportedly occurred during and after the quarter-final encounters between Cameroon and Morocco, as well as Algeria and Nigeria. The matches, which were played over the weekend, were reportedly marred by confrontations with match officials, disputes over refereeing decisions, and disturbances in post-match areas.
In an official statement, CAF confirmed that it has gathered detailed match officials’ reports, alongside video footage, which allegedly show behaviour deemed inconsistent with the organisation’s disciplinary and ethical standards. The matters have since been formally referred to CAF’s Disciplinary Board for thorough examination and possible sanctions.
CAF stated that appropriate disciplinary action would be taken should any individual or group be found guilty of violating competition regulations or engaging in conduct that undermines the integrity of the tournament. The governing body also disclosed that it is reviewing footage relating to alleged misconduct involving members of the media in the mixed zone area, where post-match interviews are conducted.
One of the matches under scrutiny is Nigeria’s 2–0 victory over Algeria in Marrakech, a result that saw the Super Eagles progress to the semi-finals of the tournament. Nigeria secured the win through goals from star striker Victor Osimhen and forward Akor Adams in a fiercely contested encounter.
Despite the result, the match ended in a tense atmosphere. Reports indicate that several Algerian players confronted the match officials on the pitch at the final whistle, protesting decisions made during the game. The situation escalated into brief scuffles, while some fans attempted to encroach onto the pitch before security personnel intervened to restore order.
The Algerian Football Federation has since submitted a formal protest to CAF, alleging that key refereeing decisions influenced the outcome of the match. Central to the complaint is a first-half incident in which Algeria believed they should have been awarded a penalty for an alleged handball inside the Nigerian penalty area. The decision by the referee, Senegalese official Issa Sy, to wave play on has remained a focal point of contention.
CAF is also examining the quarter-final match between host nation Morocco and Cameroon, which ended in a 2–0 victory for the Moroccans. While Morocco advanced to the semi-finals, the match was similarly overshadowed by controversy over officiating decisions.
Cameroon’s technical crew and players reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction over two separate incidents involving Moroccan defender Adam Masina, both of which they believed warranted penalty kicks. The decisions not to award the penalties sparked protests from the Cameroonian bench and continued complaints after the final whistle.
Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, addressed the controversy during his post-match briefing, firmly rejecting claims of officiating bias in favour of the host nation. He maintained that the referee made decisions based on the rules of the game and insisted that Morocco’s victory was deserved.
In its statement, CAF reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on misconduct at its competitions. The body emphasised that respect for match officials, opponents, and organisers is a fundamental requirement for all participating teams and accredited individuals.
CAF warned that any actions targeting referees, match organisers, or tournament officials would be treated as serious breaches of discipline, adding that it remains committed to safeguarding the integrity, professionalism, and global reputation of African football.
The Disciplinary Board is expected to conclude its review after assessing all available evidence, including referee reports, security assessments, and video recordings from the affected matches. Further updates are anticipated as the investigation progresses.
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