Algeria Files Formal Complaints Over Controversial AFCON Exit, Demands Referee Ban
The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has launched an official protest to football’s highest authorities following its controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final defeat to Nigeria, alleging that “scandalous” refereeing decisions compromised the integrity of the match.
In a forceful statement, the FAF confirmed it has submitted formal complaints to both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA. The federation argues that the officiating during the 2-0 loss has “damaged the credibility of African refereeing” and has called for a full investigation into the performance of the match officials.
Central to their protest is a demand for CAF to immediately ban Senegalese referee Issa Sy from the remainder of the tournament and remove him from the officiating roster. The FAF holds Sy directly responsible for what it deems game-altering errors.
The match, which saw Nigeria advance thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams, ended in significant disorder. Following the final whistle, heated arguments erupted between players, team officials, and referees. The tension escalated further with an attempted invasion of the pitch by spectators, underscoring the volatile atmosphere.
CAF has acknowledged the incident, confirming it has opened an investigation into the events surrounding the match. The continental body stated it has referred the case to its Disciplinary Board for official proceedings.
The defeat marked a bitter end to the campaign for the Desert Foxes, who entered the tournament with high expectations. The FAF’s unprecedented action highlights the depth of its grievance, moving beyond mere post-match criticism to a direct appeal for institutional accountability from CAF and FIFA.
Football fans and analysts now await the findings of CAF’s disciplinary review, which will determine any potential sanctions and formally address one of the most contentious episodes of the 2025 AFCON so far.
About The Author
