FIFA’s Referees Committee has officially launched an investigation into the officiating of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash between Algeria and Nigeria, following a formal complaint submitted by the Algeria Football Federation, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The high-profile encounter, officiated by Senegalese referee Issa Sy, ended in a 2-0 victory for Nigeria’s Super Eagles, a result that sealed their place in the semi-finals of the tournament. However, Algerian officials have expressed strong dissatisfaction with several refereeing decisions during the match, claiming that key calls went against them and had a significant impact on the outcome.
At the heart of the probe are a number of incidents that Algeria believes should have attracted different disciplinary measures or altered the course of the game. While specific details of the disputed decisions have not been publicly outlined, the complaint was deemed serious enough for FIFA’s Referees Committee to step in.
Sources familiar with the process revealed that the committee will conduct a comprehensive review, including analysis of match footage, the referee’s official report, and written submissions from both the Algerian and Nigerian football federations. The investigation will assess whether officiating standards and established refereeing protocols were properly followed during the quarter-final.
Although neither FIFA nor the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has provided a clear timeline for the conclusion of the investigation or indicated what sanctions, if any, could follow, the move highlights FIFA’s stated commitment to protecting the integrity of match officiating at major international tournaments.
The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of refereeing decisions at AFCON 2025, particularly following Algeria’s elimination, and is expected to further fuel debate around officiating standards in African football.