AFCON 2025 Referee Handed Indefinite Suspension Following String of Controversial Calls
The controversy surrounding AFCON 2025 continues to generate headlines. A FIFA-certified match official has received an indefinite ban mere weeks following the conclusion of the tournament held in Morocco.
The 35th installment of Africa's top-tier football championship encountered substantial scrutiny regarding subpar officiating standards. Several competing nations demanded enhanced supervision following numerous dubious calls that influenced pivotal encounters.
South Africa's national squad, Bafana Bafana, numbered among the sides that believed they suffered from questionable refereeing decisions. During their second group stage fixture against Egypt, the Pharaohs were awarded a penalty kick in the opening half. However, when the South Africans requested their own penalty decision late in the contest, their appeal was rejected. These disparities left manager Hugo Broos and his players deeply dissatisfied.
Tunisian Match Official Receives Indefinite Ban
The Tunisia Football Federation has implemented firm measures against referee Haitham Guirat. The suspension was issued following his problematic performance during a domestic league fixture between CS Sfaxien and Club Africain on February 8, 2026.
Guirat's judgment calls in that Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 encounter sparked considerable outrage from football authorities throughout Tunisia. Numerous analysts characterized his errors as significant officiating failures that undermined the competition's credibility.
The Tunisian Referees Committee proposed swift disciplinary measures. They're determined to rebuild trust in match officiating and safeguard the league's standing. For those wagering on Tunisian football matches, officiating disputes like this introduce additional uncertainty that should be considered.
Guirat held a significant role at AFCON 2025. He functioned as Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for two crucial fixtures – Morocco versus Mali and Nigeria versus Mozambique. He also served as the VAR official during the intense 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification playoff final between Nigeria and DR Congo in Morocco, where the Super Eagles experienced a heartbreaking loss.
Additional AFCON Officials Face Scrutiny
Guirat represents just one referee receiving backlash from the tournament. Ghanaian official Daniel Laryea has been openly criticized by a former FIFA referee following his recent mistake during Kaizer Chiefs' CAF Confederation Cup encounter against Al Masry on February 8, 2026.
Laryea granted the South African club a penalty when Al Masry's captain was deemed to have deliberately handled the ball. However, video replays definitively demonstrated the captain's hand was positioned naturally. With VAR technology unavailable for the fixture, the ruling remained unchanged and Flavio da Silva successfully converted the spot kick.
Laryea had previously taken charge of the Nigeria versus Morocco semi-final at AFCON 2025. His conduct in that crucial match received harsh criticism for multiple errors and inadequate officiating. These incidents underscore how refereeing quality can dramatically affect match results – a consideration that bettors should consistently incorporate into their evaluation when placing bets on African football tournaments.