Ghanaian Referee Daniel Laryea’s Instagram Account Taken Down After AFCON 2025 Semi-Final Controversy

Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea has found himself at the centre of a social media storm after his Instagram account was taken down on Tuesday, following his controversial officiating during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final between Nigeria and Morocco.

The highly anticipated encounter ended in a 0–0 draw after regulation time and extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. With neither side able to break the deadlock, the match was decided by a penalty shootout, where host nation Morocco emerged victorious with a 4–2 win, securing their place in the AFCON final.

Daniel Laryea’s performance during the match quickly became a major talking point among fans. Several of his decisions were widely criticised, particularly by Nigerian supporters, who felt the officiating did not favour their side at crucial moments of the game.

Following the final whistle, reactions intensified across social media platforms. A section of fans directed their frustration at the Ghanaian referee, with reports suggesting that his Instagram account was mass-reported, ultimately leading to it being taken down. As of now, there has been no official statement from Laryea or Instagram confirming the exact reason for the account’s removal.