Suspends players over indecent behaviour

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) yesterday descended heavily on Algeria over conducts deemed to have brought the game to disrepute after their 0-2 defeat by Nigeria in the quarterfinals of the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations.

CAF said the decision was forced by a series of condescending actions by Algerian players, their officials and fans during and after the game, which ended the North Africans’ campaign in the championship won by Senegal.

As punishment for the infractions, CAF fined Algeria $25,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of players and their officials, and another $5,000 for the general brawl.

For their supporters’ unruly behaviour, including offensive gestures towards match officials, CAF fined Algeria $50,000 and another $10,000 for attempted invasion of the field, as well as $5,000 for the use of smoke.

CAF also imposed a $50,000 fine on Algeria for provocations by their supporters, who suggested that the football body was corrupt through the display of banknotes, a gesture deemed “offensive and abusive” by the African football ruling body.

Apart from the Algerian federation, some of the players were also suspended for various offences. They include goalkeeper Luca Zidane, who got a two-match ban for a physical altercation with Super Eagles’ Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. He will miss the start of qualifications for AFCON 2027.

Right back, Rafik Belghali, got a four-game ban, two suspended, for threatening the match officials.
Reacting to the sanction, the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) said CAF was unfair to it, saying that it would appeal the sanctions.

Apart from Algeria, CAF is expected to meet soon on the infractions by Senegal during the AFCON final against Morocco on Sunday. Senegal is expected to be sanctioned for halting the game for 17 minutes by walking away from the field when the centre referee awarded a penalty against them.

Although Senegal later came back to continue the match, which they eventually won, CAF and world football governing body, FIFA, condemned their action as a big dent on the image of African football.