AFCON 2025: Zidane banned, Algeria fined as CAF punish Foxes over attack on Super Eagles

CAF has handed down heavy sanctions following the chaotic scenes that marred Algeria’s AFCON 2025 quarter-final defeat to Nigeria.

The disciplinary measures stem from post-match misconduct after the Super Eagles sealed a 2–0 win to knock the Foxes out.

Nigeria booked their place in the AFCON semifinals with goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams, but the fallout after full-time quickly overshadowed the football.

Tensions boiled over when several Algerian players confronted Senegalese referee Issa Sy, who had waved away a first-half penalty appeal involving Semi Ajayi, ruling the contact unintentional after the ball deflected off his thigh.

Amid the chaos, Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of French legend Zinedine Zidane, was involved in an ugly confrontation, shoving Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika.

CAF’s Disciplinary Committee reviewed the incident and imposed a two-match suspension on Zidane for violent conduct, with the ban set to be served during the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

Defender Rafik Belghali was also punished, receiving a four-match ban after chasing the referee down the tunnel, with two of those games to be served in AFCON qualifying action.

Beyond individual punishments, CAF imposed a significant financial penalty on the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), fining the body $100,000 for multiple breaches.

CAF imposed a total fine of $100,000 on the Algerian Football Federation, broken down as follows: $5,000 for players’ behaviour that led to multiple bookings during the match, $25,000 for the behaviour of some players and officials after the final whistle.

A further $5,000 for the use of flares by supporters, $5,000 for the throwing of objects by fans, $10,000 for failure to comply with security regulations, and $50,000 for the behaviour of fans and some media personnel, which CAF described as a serious breach of its disciplinary and safety regulations.

In a statement confirming receipt of the sanctions, the FAF made it clear it would not accept the ruling quietly. “Following these decisions, the Algerian Football Federation immediately initiated the appeals process stipulated by the regulations in force to contest these sanctions,” the statement read.

CAF’s decisive action sends a strong message that attacks on match officials and opposing players will carry serious consequences, regardless of status or pedigree.