Algeria to Lodge Formal Complaint with CAF Over Refereeing in AFCON Quarterfinal Loss to Nigeria
By TUW
Algeria have announced their intention to escalate concerns to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following their quarterfinal exit from the Africa Cup of Nations, citing what they allege were serious refereeing irregularities during their defeat to Nigeria.
In a statement released after the match, the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) said it is preparing a formal report outlining multiple incidents they believe significantly influenced the outcome of the encounter. Central to the complaint is an incident in which Algeria claim they were denied a clear penalty, a decision they say altered the momentum of the game.
The FAF further questioned the overall performance of Senegalese referee Issa Sy, alleging that several key decisions were inconsistent and appeared to favor Nigeria. According to the federation, the referee’s conduct raised concerns about impartiality throughout the match.
Beyond decisions made during play, Algeria also raised issues related to post-match conduct. The federation alleged that the referee failed to observe customary protocol by not shaking hands with Algerian players at the final whistle. They further claimed that Nigerian players provoked Algerian players after the match had ended, contributing to heightened tensions on the pitch.
Additionally, the FAF reported alleged incidents involving members of the Algerian media, claiming that journalists and media professionals were attacked in the players’ tunnel following the match. The federation said these matters will also form part of the submission to CAF.
As a result of these alleged incidents, Algeria is calling on CAF to take decisive action, including the immediate removal of Issa Sy from the remainder of the tournament and the imposition of a ban pending investigation.
CAF is expected to assess the complaints once the official reports and supporting evidence are received, before determining whether disciplinary or administrative action is warranted.
