The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board, has delivered a sweeping verdict following the chaotic scenes that marred the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final between Nigeria and Algeria.
While the Super Eagles advanced with a 2–0 victory on January 10th, the aftermath saw a meltdown from the Algerian side that has now resulted in a staggering $100,000 total fine and multiple player suspensions.
The CAF Disciplinary Board decided on the following:
- 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.
- 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.
- Impose 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.
Why was Nigeria not sanctioned?
In a rare move for such a high-profile clash, the CAF Disciplinary Board did not announce any sanctions against the Nigerian team.
The match reports indicated that while Super Eagles players were involved in the scuffle, they were largely reactive rather than instigators.