The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued a series of severe sanctions against the Algerian national team and the Algerian Football Federation (FAF). The move follows a wave of misconduct that erupted during and after their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 quarter-final clash against Nigeria.
The CAF Disciplinary Board met on Wednesday to review the events of the match, which took place earlier this month. The board’s findings highlight a series of violations ranging from aggressive player behavior to security breaches by supporters.
Player Suspensions and Misconduct
Two key Algerian players have received direct bans as a result of their actions during the high-stakes encounter:
- Rafik Belghali: Received a four-match suspension for aggressive and intimidating behavior toward the match referee. However, two of these matches are suspended under a one-year probationary period.
- Luca Zidane: Handed a two-match suspension from official CAF duties with the national team due to general misconduct.
Massive Financial Penalties for FAF
The Algerian Football Federation was hit with a total of USD 100,000 in fines. CAF broke down the financial penalties as follows:
- Disrepute and Official Abuse: A $25,000 fine for inappropriate behavior by players and officials, plus $50,000 for offensive gestures (specifically the displaying of banknotes) directed at match officials by fans.
- Security and Crowd Control: $10,000 for failing to maintain security barriers and $5,000 each for the use of smoke devices and the throwing of objects by supporters.
- On-Field Discipline: $5,000 for the team receiving five yellow cards during the match.
Conflict Over Officiating
The tensions exploded immediately after the final whistle. While Nigeria’s Super Eagles celebrated their advancement, Algerian players and fans voiced intense frustration over what they perceived as a missed penalty call.
Videos shared on social media captured scenes of Algerian players confronting officials and physical altercations breaking out. These incidents were exacerbated by fans attempting to breach security barriers. Notably, CAF has not issued any sanctions against the Nigerian team regarding this match.
The Road to Appeal
In response to the ruling, the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has officially confirmed its intent to appeal. The federation argues that the penalties are disproportionate and is calling for a formal review of the match officiating that triggered the unrest.
As the tournament continues, the sanctions serve as a stern reminder of CAF’s commitment to maintaining order and respect toward match officials during its flagship competition.
Was the CAF ruling too harsh or just right? Many fans believe the officiating was to blame for the chaos. Share your thoughts in the comments below—did the punishment fit the crime?
