According to Egyptian news outlet Ahram, quoting the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has handed a two-match suspension to Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of French football icon Zinedine Zidane, following the chaotic aftermath of Algeria’s quarter-final defeat to Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The suspension of Luca Zidane is the most high-profile punishment among a raft of sanctions imposed by CAF’s disciplinary committee after Nigeria’s 2–0 victory, which sent the Super Eagles into the semi-finals and sparked disorder involving Algerian players, officials, and supporters at the final whistle.

In addition to Zidane’s ban, defender Rafik Belghali has been hit with a four-match suspension, with two of those games suspended. CAF also fined the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) a total of $100,000 for what it described as misconduct by the national team and the inappropriate behaviour of certain players, officials, and fans.

CAF clarified that all player suspensions will be served during the 2027 AFCON qualifying matches. As a result, Luca Zidane and Belghali will remain eligible to feature for Algeria at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, avoiding a ban from the global showpiece.

Reacting to the verdict, the Algerian Football Federation confirmed it would appeal the sanctions, insisting it would pursue all available institutional channels to defend the interests and reputation of Algerian football.

The suspension of Zidane, however, underscores CAF’s firm stance on post-match indiscipline and ensures that the fallout from Algeria’s AFCON exit will extend well beyond the final whistle in Rabat.

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Multiple sources have informed that Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw could miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) opened disciplinary proceedings against him over controversial conduct during the Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat.

CAF confirmed that it is reviewing incidents from the final between the Senegal national football team and the Morocco national football team, with potential sanctions that could include a lengthy suspension.

Such a penalty would likely rule Thiaw out of leading Senegal at the World Cup, which will be staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

The case stems from events late in stoppage time when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review. In protest, Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch and return to the dressing room, causing a delay of approximately 17 minutes before play resumed.

Morocco’s Brahim Díaz later missed the penalty, and Senegal went on to win the match 1–0 after extra time to claim the continental title. However, the dramatic walk-off overshadowed the victory and has now placed Thiaw’s international future in doubt.

In a statement, CAF condemned the conduct, warning that actions perceived as undermining match officials and organisers violate the values of the game. “CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour during matches, especially those targeting referees or match organizers,” the statement said.

CAF added that all available video footage from the final is being examined and that the matter will be referred to its disciplinary committees, which have the authority to impose suspensions, fines or bans.

The incident also drew criticism from Gianni Infantino, who described the scenes as “ugly” and called for accountability.

While Senegal’s World Cup preparations are expected to continue as planned, uncertainty now surrounds whether Thiaw will be on the touchline when the tournament kicks off in June, pending the outcome of CAF’s disciplinary process.

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President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has strongly denied reports circulating on social media alleging that he engaged in a public confrontation with the President of the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa, during a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee in Morocco.

The unverified reports claimed that Gusau, who also serves as President of West African Football Union Zone B, had a heated exchange with Lekjaa, who is also the First Vice President of the Confederation of African Football, at a meeting held on the sidelines of the recently concluded 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.

Reacting to the allegations, Gusau described the claims as baseless and misleading.

“I really don’t know where the report is coming from,” Gusau said. “Nigeria and Morocco have very cordial relationships in football, and even at the level of government, both countries enjoy a warm relationship. Personally, I have always had a good relationship with Lekjaa.

“There was no shouting match, nor were there any insults thrown. Whoever came up with that report engaged in the mongering of total falsehood.”

Gusau also dismissed claims that the alleged disagreement was linked to comments he purportedly made about officiating during the second semi-final between Nigeria and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday, January 14.

“Before the match, I had publicly stated that the NFF was not apprehensive about the officiating,” he said. “After the match, I made no comments whatsoever. I am totally bemused as to where the reporter got the story that Lekjaa and I engaged in a shouting match because of my comments on officiating.”

The NFF president further praised Morocco’s hosting of the tournament, commending the Moroccan Football Federation, the Local Organising Committee, the Moroccan government and CAF for what he described as a highly successful championship.

“As far as the NFF is concerned, we have only praises for the Morocco Football Federation, the Local Organising Committee, the Government of Morocco and CAF for organising a very successful Africa Cup of Nations,” Gusau said. “It was a tournament full of glamour and excellence that will remain in our memories for many years to come.”

The denial comes amid heightened scrutiny of social media reports surrounding football administration in Africa, with officials increasingly urging caution against the spread of unverified claims.

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