Bertrand Traoré faced disciplinary action from the Confederation of African Football after his public reaction to Burkina Faso’s defeat against Algeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Stallions captain appeared before the CAF disciplinary committee following comments he made in a post-match interview, where he openly questioned the standard of officiating.
Those remarks drew the attention of the governing body, which summoned the forward to explain his position and clarify his intentions.
During the hearing, Traoré adopted a conciliatory tone. He acknowledged that his words crossed a line and offered an apology, expressing regret for how he communicated his frustration in the heat of the moment.
The attacker stressed that he never intended to disrespect CAF or undermine the authority of match officials.
Despite that apology, the disciplinary committee decided to impose a financial sanction.
CAF fined the Burkina Faso international 10,000 US dollars, judging his statements to be offensive and incompatible with the conduct expected from a national team captain at a major continental tournament.
The Burkina Faso Football Federation reacted swiftly to the ruling. In an official statement released on Wednesday, the federation confirmed that it accepted CAF’s decision and moved to reassure supporters and stakeholders.
The governing body underlined that the incident does not reflect Traoré’s usual behaviour or his dedication to the national cause.
According to the federation, the captain continues to embody professionalism, commitment, and leadership within the squad.
Officials also emphasized his determination to respond on the pitch by helping his teammates secure stronger results as the competition progresses.
The timing of the sanction raised eyebrows, as it arrived just hours before Burkina Faso’s decisive group-stage encounter against Sudan.
However, the ruling carries no sporting suspension, meaning Traoré remains available for selection and can feature in the crucial third match.
As Burkina Faso chase qualification from the group, the focus now shifts back to football. Traoré will aim to channel the controversy into a composed and influential performance, knowing that his actions, both on and off the field, continue to set the tone for the Stallions at AFCON 2025.
