CAF Fines Algeria $95,000 Over Unruly Conduct After Loss to Nigeria

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed heavy sanctions on Algeria following incidents that marred their 2–0 quarterfinal defeat to Nigeria at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, CAF said the sanctions were prompted by a series of actions by Algerian players, officials and supporters that were deemed to have brought the game into disrepute during and after the match, which ended Algeria’s campaign at the tournament eventually won by Senegal.

CAF fined the Algerian team $25,000 for the inappropriate conduct of players and officials, while an additional $5,000 was imposed for a general brawl. The governing body also sanctioned Algeria’s supporters with a $50,000 fine for unruly behaviour, including offensive gestures toward match officials. Further penalties included $10,000 for an attempted pitch invasion and $5,000 for the use of smoke inside the stadium.

In addition, CAF imposed a separate $50,000 fine over provocative actions by Algerian fans, who displayed banknotes to suggest corruption within the football body. CAF described the act as “offensive and abusive.”

Beyond financial penalties, CAF also handed down suspensions to individual players. Goalkeeper Luca Zidane received a two-match ban for his involvement in a physical altercation with Nigeria’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, ruling him out of the opening fixtures of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. Right-back Rafik Belghali was banned for four matches, with two suspended, after threatening match officials.

Reacting to the sanctions, the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) described CAF’s decision as unfair and announced its intention to appeal.

Meanwhile, CAF is expected to review incidents involving Senegal during the AFCON final against Morocco. Senegal briefly walked off the pitch for 17 minutes after a penalty was awarded against them, an action that drew condemnation from both CAF and world football governing body FIFA, despite Senegal later returning to complete and win the match.