AFCON 2025: CAF slams sanctions on Algeria over clash with Nigeria

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has handed down punishments to the Algeria national team following the ugly scenes that broke out after their quarter-final defeat to Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

In an official ruling, CAF’s disciplinary board cited misconduct by Algerian players, officials, and supporters during and after the heated encounter with the Super Eagles.

As part of the sanctions, goalkeeper Luca Zidane has been suspended for two matches, a ban he will serve during the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.

Defender Rafik Belghali was also punished with a four-match suspension, although two of those games have been suspended, meaning he will miss two immediate matches unless further offences occur.

CAF did not stop there. The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) was slapped with a $100,000 fine for the improper conduct of their players, officials, and fans.

The incident followed Nigeria’s victory over Algeria, a match that ended in tension and post-game clashes, drawing widespread attention across African football.

With AFCON 2027 qualifiers around the corner, Algeria will now have to regroup quickly and move on, knowing that any further misconduct could attract even stiffer penalties.