The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has delivered a series of heavy penalties against Algeria following the quarter-final clash with Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.
The disciplinary measures come after on-field incidents and post-match chaos that shocked fans and the football community alike.
Players Suspended for Misconduct
CAF’s Disciplinary Board announced that Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane will miss two official CAF matches with the national team due to misconduct.
Meanwhile, midfielder Rafik Belghali received a four-match suspension for aggressive and intimidating behaviour directed at the match referee at the end of the game.
Notably, two of Belghali’s suspended matches have been put on probation for a year, meaning they will be enforced only if further misconduct occurs.
Algerian Federation Hit With Fines
The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) also faced financial penalties totaling USD 100,000.
CAF cited multiple violations involving players, officials, and fans. Among the fines:
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USD 5,000 for the national team accumulating five yellow cards in violation of CAF rules.
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USD 25,000 for inappropriate behaviour from players and officials that tarnished the match’s reputation.
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USD 5,000 for fans using smoke devices.
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USD 5,000 for supporters throwing objects.
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USD 10,000 for failing to follow security measures when fans tried to breach barriers.
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USD 50,000 for offensive gestures from fans, including waving banknotes at officials.
No Sanctions for Nigeria
CAF did not issue any penalties against the Nigerian team, which advanced to the semi-finals after goals that Algerian players and supporters disputed.
The controversy centered on an alleged missed penalty in Algeria’s favour, which heightened tensions immediately after the final whistle.
On-Field Chaos and Fan Misconduct
Videos circulating online captured Algerian players confronting referees and even engaging in physical altercations.
The scenes were compounded by fans throwing objects and a visible failure of security measures, contributing to a tense and unsafe environment.
FAF Promises Appeal
In response to the sanctions, the Algerian Football Federation confirmed it will appeal, arguing that the penalties are excessive.
The federation is also requesting a review of the match officiating, claiming that controversial calls influenced the outcome and fueled the post-match chaos.
Looking Ahead
As the appeal process unfolds, CAF’s disciplinary actions have already sent a strong message about unacceptable conduct on and off the pitch.
For Algeria, the coming months will test both the federation’s response and the players’ discipline as the team prepares for future competitions.
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