African football chiefs to stop journalists 'unprofessional' behaviour at AFCON

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have vowed to crack down on poor behaviour from journalists working at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

After consultations with the local police in the Ivory Coast, the governing body has now taken the drastic step of issuing new guidelines and restricting media access at the tournament, which began last month and will run until February 11.

The on-field drama at the prestigious competition has been marred somewhat by actions from reporters deemed unprofessional, with accredited individuals accused of aiming abuse at players, dancing near-naked and fighting with each other.

'There was someone dancing naked in the media tribune', a CAF media official told journalists in Abidjan while explaining the new rules. 'We cannot have that.'

CAF have also issued a wider statement and shed light on the steps taken to clamp down on the 'unbecoming behaviour' of a number of reporters at stadiums.

The statement read: 'CAF has noted the escalating unbecoming and unprofessional behaviour of "media practitioners" in working spaces at the Africa Cup of Nations.

'CAF met with the Local Organising Committee and police to discuss the situation and find workable solutions.

'While we understand that we are all football fans and are passionate about our national teams, journalists are expected to observe professional standards.'

The organisation have threatened to expel and remove the accreditation of any media member involved in 'wild celebrations and abuses [of] colleagues'. They have also rolled out a strict zero-tolerance approach to fighting among reporters.

'Any media practitioner who uses vulgar [language] in media areas either against coaches, players or his/her peers will have the accreditation