UNRULY BEHAVIOUR FROM AFCON REPORTER PROVOKES CAF CLAMPDOWN

The AFCON final takes place Feb. 11 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan. Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images

 The poor behaviour of journalists at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the Ivory Coast has prompted the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to issue a new set of guidelines and tighten up media access following consultation with the local police.

Away from the on-pitch drama at AFCON, the actions of journalists have been an unhappy subplot, with abuse, fighting and near-nudity making headlines from the press box.

"There was someone dancing naked in the media tribune," a CAF media official said to assembled journalists at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan on Friday, while explaining the new guidelines. "We cannot have that."

A statement issued by CAF on Friday, as seen by ESPN, revealed that the continent's football governing body has taken steps to reduce what they deem as "unprofessional and unbecoming behaviour" after consulting with Ivorian authorities.

"CAF has noted the escalating unbecoming and unprofessional behaviour of some 'media practitioners' in working spaces at the Africa Cup of Nations," the statement began. "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."

MAN UNITED BARS REPORTERS AFTER STORIES ABOUT MANAGER ERIK TEN HAG HAS PROBLEMS MOUNT FOR DUTCH MAN

AP Photo 

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — In the face of reports of player unrest, Erik ten Hag is convinced his Manchester United plans are on track.

After a 10th defeat of the season against Newcastle last week, the United manager has been confronted with stories that his methods had been called into question by sections of the locker room. But the Dutchman is adamant his squad is united.

"You can see you can’t play such great football as we did lately if there is no unity,” Ten Hag said Tuesday. “We are on a journey, a route, we know we are still in transition, but we are in the right direction.

“You see it how we construct a team, develop it, the team is progressing. How young players (are) coming in and you see the potential how they can contribute to a very successful Manchester United for the future.”