Mali’s captain, Hamari Traore, has been handed a four-match ban for unsporting conduct towards a referee during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 32-year-old defender was sent off immediately after the final whistle in Mali’s quarter-final defeat against Ivory Coast on February 3. Following the match, Traore was involved in a confrontation with Egyptian referee Mohamed Adel, resulting in his expulsion from the game.
Half of Traore’s ban is suspended for a year, as per the disciplinary decision.
In addition to Traore’s suspension, Mali’s football federation has been fined $10,000 for the unsporting behavior displayed by its players towards the match official. Ivory Coast’s federation has also been fined $5,000 for misconduct by its players during the same match.
Meanwhile, Senegal’s Krepin Diatta has been penalised for bringing the Confederation of African Football into disrepute due to comments made following Senegal’s defeat by Ivory Coast in the last 16. Diatta, 24, received a four-match ban, with two matches suspended for a year, along with a fine of $10,000.
The Senegalese federation was fined $5,000 for the misconduct of its players during the tournament.