The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has formally opened disciplinary proceedings following a series of ugly incidents that marred the quarter-final stages of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
In a press release issued from their headquarters in Cairo and distributed in Morocco, CAF expressed its intent to crack down on the rising tensions that have overshadowed the football on the pitch.
The statement confirmed that the Disciplinary Board has been seized of the matter and tasked with reviewing the footage to identify specific culprits.
issa Senegalese referee Issa Sy leaves the pitch after the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) quarter-final football match between Algeria and Nigeria. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP via Getty Images)
“CAF has collected recent match reports and video evidence indicating potentially unacceptable behaviour from some players and officials and has opened an investigation into match incidents during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 quarter-final fixtures between Cameroon and Morocco, as well as Algeria and Nigeria,” the statement read.
“CAF has referred the matters to the Disciplinary Board for investigation and has called for appropriate action to be taken if the identified persons were to be found guilty of any wrongdoing.”
Algeria’s and Nigeria’s players argue during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) quarter-final football match. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
The statement concluded: “CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organisers. Appropriate actions will be sought against anyone whose behaviour is not consistent with professional conduct at CAF events.”
One of the fixtures under the microscope is the intense battle between Algeria and Nigeria. Following the Super Eagles 2-0 victory, massive brawl erupted between blah team.
Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane was involved in a heated exchange with Nigeria’s Dele-Bashiru that ended in a shoving match and involved players and staff from both sides. Zidane was also seen arguing with Raphael Onyedika as the Nigeria players came to break up the tussle.
