After Algeria Win, CAF Fines Burkina Faso Star Bertrand Traoré
1 January 2026
Match fallout
CAF announced Burkina Faso winger Bertrand Traore was fined 10,000 euros for comments after his country\'s clash with Algeria, a 1-0 Desert Foxes win in the final AFCON 2025 group-stage game.
Officiating critique and response
Traore had criticized officiating in an interview with BeIN Sports, saying refereeing spoils matches and is sad for African football, even though there are beautiful stadiums and great crowds. He noted the loss came from a penalty, and he believed a penalty should have been awarded earlier.
The Sunderland star added that the referee did not review the incident on video and was informed only via headset, which was disappointing. We can lose on the pitch, but they should not spoil the tournament.
The Disciplinary Committee, after the hearing, imposed the fine only, with no sporting sanction on Traore, after he issued an official apology for his remarks.
The committee also stated that Traore’s conduct did not warrant a ban, despite the sharp criticisms he directed at the official.
Additional sanctions
In contrast, the disciplinary panel tightened sanctions on Equatorial Guinea players Jose Miranda and Carlos Acabko, suspending them for four matches, two of which are suspended, for insulting the Congolese referee Nkono during the Sudan game that Guinea lost 1-0.
Punchline 1: If referees were comedians, every joke would need a VAR review.
Punchline 2: Football loves drama; the whistle just sells it.
