RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Organizers of the Africa Cup of Nations have condemned the “unacceptable behavior of players and officials” and is reviewing video evidence of journalists fighting after the quarterfinal between Algeria and Nigeria.
The Confederation of African Football said Monday it was also investigating match incidents during the quarterfinal between Cameroon and host nation Morocco.
“CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behavior which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organizers,” CAF said in a statement. “Appropriate actions will be sought against anyone whose behavior is not consistent with professional conduct at CAF events.”
Scuffles broke out between players and team officials on the field after Algeria’s defeat by Nigeria in Marrakech on Saturday.
Referee Issa Sy was shielded from irate Algeria team staff and was escorted off the field. Video clips showed Sy was still being pursued in the mixed zone for media and broadcasters as he made his way to his cabin.
Video also showed accredited media fighting in the mixed zone as they waited for players to pass through for interviews after the match.
“CAF has referred the matters to the disciplinary board for investigation and has called for appropriate action to be taken if the identified persons were to be found guilty of any wrongdoing,” CAF said.
AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
Algeria's goalkeeper Luca Zidane, center, and teammates clash with Nigeria's players following the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal soccer match between Algeria and Nigeria in Marrakech, Morocco, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Cuban government has refused a request by the U.S. Embassy in Havana to allow it to import diesel for its generators while the Trump administration continues to impose a fuel blockade on the island, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the matter.
The Cuban government turned down the request as the U.S. State Department has been weighing a reduction in staffing at the embassy in Havana because of the lack of diesel. Such a move would likely lead to a U.S. demand for a similar reduction in staffing at the Cuban Embassy in Washington, say the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.
The Cuban government rejection was first reported by The Washington Post.
Cuba has struggled with dwindling oil since the U.S. removed Venezuela’s leader, halting critical petroleum shipments from the nation. President Donald Trump then threatened tariffs on any country selling or supplying Cuba with oil.
The island is relying on its own natural gas, solar power and its own oil to run thermoelectric plants, but that hasn’t been enough to meet demand.
The standoff on diesel comes as Trump has been pressing for dramatic change in government led by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Trump has suggested that top Cuban leaders would be smart to avoid the fate of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was ousted and arrested in a U.S. military operation in January. Venezuela had been Cuba's closest ally and provided it with heavily subsidized oil.
Any potential staffing reduction at the embassy is not expected to come immediately because the U.S. believes it has enough diesel in reserve to last for another month, according to one official.
Díaz-Canel said last week that Cuba has held talks with the U.S. government. It marked the first time the Caribbean country had confirmed widespread speculation about discussions with the Trump administration in the midst of the Republican administration's pressure campaign.
Humanitarian organizations began delivering aid to Cuba by air Friday, including solar panels, food and medicine.
Cuba has been preparing to receive a shipment of Russian oil later this month, which would be its first shipment in the past three months.
Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have said they see the island nation as the next country where the U.S. can expand its influence.
The Trump administration is looking for Díaz-Canel to leave as the U.S. continues negotiating with the Cuban government, The Associated Press previously reported. No detail has been offered about who the administration might like to see come to power.
A woman rides an electric scooter past a factory displaying an image depicting the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro, bearing the words "Socialism or Death", in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
