CAF suspends Zidane and fines Algeria following AFCON quarter-final against Nigeria

The Algerian Football Federation announced that the Disciplinary Committee at Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed sanctions on the Algerian national team and the federation regarding their quarter-final match against Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Algeria was eliminated from the tournament after a 2-0 defeat to Nigeria in the quarter-finals.

CAF’s sanctions against Algeria include suspensions and fines, and are as follows:

• Luca Zidan, goalkeeper, suspended for 2 matches to be served during the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

• Rafik Boughlali, defender, suspended for 4 matches, with 2 matches suspended, to be served during the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

• $5,000 fine due to inappropriate behavior following four players receiving yellow cards.

• $25,000 fine for misconduct by some players and officials after the match, which negatively affected the image of the game.

• $5,000 fine for the use of flares by fans.

• $5,000 fine for throwing objects by fans.

• $10,000 fine for breaching security procedures as some fans attempted to cross barriers.

• $50,000 fine for offensive gestures by fans, including waving banknotes toward match officials.

The Algerian Football Federation stated in an official announcement that it has immediately initiated the appeal procedures allowed under the applicable regulations to challenge these sanctions. The federation added that it continues to monitor the matter with the utmost attention and reaffirms its intention to defending the interests of Algerian football within strict respect for regulatory and institutional frameworks.

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