Algerian media outlets have revealed that the Algerian Football Federation is preparing to file an official complaint against referee Issa Sy with FIFA following the events of the quarter-final match against Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Sy sparked controversy after his decision not to award Algeria a clear penalty in the first half. He then proceeded to issue yellow cards to Algerian players, in what Algerians perceived as a clear bias towards Nigeria in any controversial decisions during the match.
The Algerian Federation’s complaint will include detailed objections to several of Sy’s refereeing decisions, most notably the penalty decision, highlighting how it negatively impacted the final result of the match.
The complaint will also include the fact that the Senegalese referee refused to shake hands with the Algerian players after the final whistle, causing considerable displeasure and even greater surprise within the Algerian delegation.
Algeria will demand that Issa Sy be immediately suspended and barred from officiating any further matches in the Africa Cup of Nations, and possibly beyond.
It is worth noting that Nigeria will face Morocco in the first semi-final, while Egypt will have a fiery encounter with Senegal, with the final and the third-place match remaining.
