Ghanaian Referee’s Instagram Account "Taken Down" After Nigerians Mass-Report It Over AFCON Officiating

By: Israel Adeleke

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that the Instagram account of Ghanaian referee, Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea, has been reportedly taken down or disabled following a wave of mass reports by Nigerian users angered by his officiating during Nigeria’s 2–0 semi-final loss to hosts Morocco at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

OTN News further reports that the backlash followed a controversial decision in the January 14, 2026 semi-final encounter at Stade Mohammed V in Rabat, where Laryea issued a yellow card to Super Eagles defender, Calvin Bassey, in the 33rd minute for an alleged foul on Moroccan attacker Brahim Díaz. Replays of the incident, which quickly circulated online, appear to show Díaz pulling Bassey’s shirt during a physical challenge, yet the Nigerian defender was penalised.

The booking proves costly for Nigeria, as Bassey was already on a prior yellow card, automatically ruling him out of the team’s next fixture—the third-place playoff—after the Super Eagles’ exit from the tournament.

In the aftermath of the match, Nigerian football fans took to social media platforms in large numbers, condemning the decision as “incompetent,” “biased,” and “disgusting.” 

Several commentators and fans argued that the call significantly affected the flow of the game and compounded Nigeria’s difficulties against the tournament hosts.

OTN News observes that pominent political commentator, JJ Omojuwa, was among those who publicly criticise the officiating, describing it as shocking. 

Many fans also referenced the long-standing football rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana, suggesting it influenced perceptions of bias in Laryea’s decisions.

Supporters further accused the referee of favouring Morocco, pointing to match statistics which show Nigeria committing more fouls—29 compared to Morocco’s 19—while the hosts receive no yellow cards during the encounter. 

OTN News further observes that the perceived imbalance fueled online outrage, with criticism intensifying across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and other platforms.

As frustration escalated, reports emerge that angry Nigerian users mass-report Laryea’s Instagram profile, leading to its suspension or removal. 

Searches for the referee’s account later return either no results or an unavailable page, reinforcing claims that the profile has been taken down.

The incident sparked reactions from Ghanaian social media users, some of whom describe the Nigerian backlash as “toxic” and “overly emotional.” 

Others defend Laryea, insisting that Nigeria’s defeat is down to on-field performance rather than refereeing decisions.

OTN News further observes that the episode underscored the intense passions that surround AFCON matches, particularly those involving historic rivalries and high-stakes knockout fixtures. 

It also reignited broader debates about referee neutrality, accountability and the role of technology in African football.

As of the time of this report, neither the Confederation of African Football (CAF) nor Instagram has issued an official statement on the status of Laryea’s account. 

The referee, a FIFA-listed official since 2014 and a regular fixture in the Ghana Premier League, had already been the subject of scrutiny from Nigerian fans before the match, despite assurances from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that all appointed officials were neutral and professionally competent.