The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed a $100,000 fine on the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) and handed down multiple player suspensions following disciplinary breaches during and after Algeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 quarter-final defeat to Nigeria.
The sanctions followed chaotic scenes at the end of the January 10, 2026 encounter in Marrakech, Morocco, where Nigeria secured a 2–0 victory to advance to the semi-finals.
CAF’s Disciplinary Board said several Algerian players and officials confronted match officials after the final whistle, conduct it described as bringing the game into disrepute. The post-match fracas also involved Nigerian players, some of whom were reportedly attacked during the incident.
In its ruling, CAF fined the Algerian FA $25,000 for the behaviour of its players and officials at the end of the match. An additional $15,000 fine was imposed for further infractions, including the accumulation of five yellow cards by Algerian players, the use of smoke bombs by supporters, and the throwing of objects from the stands.
The federation was also slapped with a further $60,000 fine for offensive and abusive gestures by supporters—reportedly involving the display of banknotes directed at match officials—and for failure to comply with security measures following attempts to breach security barriers.
CAF also handed suspensions to two Algerian players, with Rafik Belghali banned for four matches and goalkeeper Luca Zidane suspended for two games for their roles in the post-match altercation.
Reacting to the decision, the Algerian Football Federation confirmed that it has initiated an appeal against the sanctions.
“The Algerian Football Federation informs the public of the decision rendered by the Disciplinary Committee of the Confederation of African Football regarding the incidents that occurred during the Algeria–Nigeria match played on January 10, 2026, in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations,” the statement read.
“Following these decisions, the Algerian FA immediately initiated the appeals process provided for in the regulations in order to contest these sanctions. The federation will closely monitor developments in this case,” it added.
