AFCON 2025: CAF Suspends Egypt Defender Attia Over Controversial Gesture

AFCON 2025: CAF Suspends Egypt Defender Attia Over Controversial Gesture

Sampson Adedeji

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has handed a two-match suspension to Egypt defender Attia following his conduct after the Pharaohs’ clash against Senegal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Attia was cited for misconduct after making a controversial gesture towards the match referee at the end of Egypt’s encounter with Senegal in Tangier.

The gesture was widely interpreted as an accusation that the match officials had been bribed to favour Senegal, sparking backlash across the football community.

In a statement released on Friday, CAF confirmed that the player had been found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute, a violation of the competition’s disciplinary regulations.

As a result, Attia will miss Egypt’s next two matches at the tournament. CAF reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on actions that undermine the integrity of match officials and the credibility of its competitions, stressing that respect for referees remains a fundamental principle of the game.

The suspension represents a significant blow to Egypt as they continue their AFCON 2025 campaign, with the Pharaohs now forced to adjust their defensive options in the absence of the sanctioned defender.