The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially launched a disciplinary investigation into the chaotic scenes that followed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final match between Nigeria's Super Eagles and Algeria.
Post-Match Chaos Triggers CAF Probe
In a statement released on Monday, African football's governing body confirmed it is looking into "unacceptable behaviour of players and officials" after Nigeria's 2-0 victory in Marrakech. The win, secured with second-half goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams, was overshadowed by ugly confrontations at full-time.
CAF has referred the entire matter to its disciplinary board and warned that appropriate action will be taken against anyone found guilty of misconduct. "CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organisers," the statement read.
Referee Pursued, Media Scuffle Adds to Drama
The focal point of the Algerian team's fury was the match officiating. Algerian players and staff, enraged by what they perceived as unfair decisions, targeted referee Issa Sy at the final whistle. Security personnel had to shield Sy and escort him from the pitch.
Disturbingly, video evidence shows the referee was still being pursued through the mixed zone—an area designated for media and broadcasters—as he attempted to reach the safety of his dressing room. Further compounding the disorder, accredited media personnel were also seen fighting in the same mixed zone while waiting to interview players after the match.
Algerian Federation Files Formal Complaint
In a related development, the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has submitted a formal complaint to CAF regarding the performance of referee Issa Sy. The federation stated it "cannot ignore the refereeing performance observed during the last match, which raised numerous questions and caused considerable confusion."
In a strongly-worded release, the FAF argued that certain decisions during the game "have damaged the credibility of African refereeing and do nothing to enhance the value of continental football on the international stage."
Potential Impact on Super Eagles' Semi-Final
The timing of this investigation is critical for the Nigerian team. Any resulting disciplinary action could impact the Super Eagles as they prepare for their crucial semi-final showdown against hosts Morocco on Wednesday. CAF's swift move underscores the seriousness with which it views the incidents.
Furthermore, CAF revealed it is also investigating separate incidents from Friday's other quarter-final tie between Morocco and Cameroon, indicating a broader crackdown on misconduct at the tournament.
The football world now awaits the findings of the disciplinary board, which will determine the consequences for the individuals and teams involved in this unsavoury chapter of AFCON 2025.
