The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has dramatically escalated its dispute over the team's Africa Cup of Nations exit, threatening to take the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to court. This follows Algeria's contentious 2-0 quarterfinal defeat to Nigeria's Super Eagles on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
From On-Field Fury to Legal Threats
Immediately after the final whistle, frustration boiled over. Algerian players and staff were involved in heated confrontations with Nigerian players, with their anger directed squarely at the match official. Security footage from the stadium showed visibly furious Algerian players chasing Senegalese referee Issa Sy into the tunnel before being restrained.
The core of Algeria's grievance lies in accusations of poor officiating and alleged bias by referee Sy. The FAF, led by president Walid Sadi, formally complained to CAF, claiming key match decisions went against the Desert Foxes and influenced the outcome. Instead of receiving a sympathetic hearing, the federation claims it was threatened with sanctions for its post-match reaction, a move Algeria views as an intimidation tactic.
FAF Stands Firm, Empowered by Past CAS Victory
Undeterred by the threat of sanctions, the Algerian FA has adopted a defiant stance. In a statement reported by BSNSports.com.ng, the federation insists it will not be intimidated and is prepared to pursue all available legal options against CAF, accusing the continental body of abuse of power.
This confidence is partly fueled by a recent legal victory. In February 2025, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favour of FAF and club USM Alger in a separate dispute. They successfully appealed a CAF decision regarding Moroccan club RS Berkane's jerseys, which featured a map including the disputed territory of Western Sahara. CAS annulled CAF's approval of the shirts, upholding FAF's argument that they violated rules on political neutrality.
Fallout and Investigation
The post-match scenes were severe enough to prompt CAF to open an official investigation into the incidents following the quarterfinal. On the pitch, the match was decided by second-half goals from Nigeria's Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) and Akor Adams (Sevilla), ending Algeria's tournament despite their perfect group-stage record.
Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez had earlier provided his own analysis of the defeat, pinpointing on-field reasons for the loss. However, the federation's response has moved beyond sporting critique into a potential legal battle that could challenge CAF's authority and disciplinary processes.
This threat of litigation marks an unprecedented escalation in the aftermath of an AFCON match, setting the stage for a significant confrontation between a major football nation and the governing body of African football.
