Following Nigeria’s dramatic 4–2 defeat to Morocco on penalties, controversy has extended beyond the pitch, with reports that the Ghanaian referee, Daniel Laryea who officiated the encounter has had his Instagram account taken down after being mass-reported by aggrieved fans.
The match, which ended level after regulation and extra time before proceeding to penalties, was a tense and emotionally charged affair.
As is often the case in high-stakes knockout football, several officiating decisions came under intense scrutiny, particularly from Nigerian supporters who felt that key calls during the game influenced the outcome.
Read also: AFCON 2025: Morocco Beats Nigeria 4-2 on Penalties to Reach Final Against Senegal
In the hours after the penalty shootout loss, online frustration escalated.
According to multiple reports circulating on social media, Nigerian fans tracked down the referee’s personal Instagram account and flooded it with comments, complaints, and reports.
Shortly afterward, the account reportedly became inaccessible, suggesting it had either been temporarily suspended by Instagram or deactivated amid the backlash.
The incident highlights a growing issue in modern football: the spillover of matchday emotions into online harassment.
While criticism of refereeing decisions is part of the sport, targeting officials on personal social media platforms raises serious concerns about abuse, intimidation, and mental well-being.
Referees, like players and coaches, are increasingly exposed to direct fan reaction in the digital age, often without institutional protection.
Football authorities, including continental and national governing bodies, have repeatedly warned against online abuse directed at match officials.
In similar past cases, federations have emphasized that referees are assessed internally through official review processes, and that public harassment does not influence those evaluations.
For Nigeria, the loss to Morocco marked a painful exit, especially after a fiercely contested match that went the full distance.
For Morocco, the victory secured progression, but the post-match narrative has been partly overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the referee.
As football continues to grapple with the impact of social media on the game, this episode serves as another reminder of the need for stronger boundaries between sporting criticism and personal attacks.
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Emotional reactions are inevitable after defeats decided on penalties, but directing that frustration at individuals online risks undermining the integrity of the sport and the safety of those who officiate it.
Ultimately, accountability in football officiating lies with governing bodies and structured review systems—not online mobs.