CAF sanctions Libya with a match forfeiture and $50K fine for mistreating Nigeria’s Super Eagles, reinforcing fair play and safety in African football.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board recently issued a strong response to the reported mistreatment of Nigeria’s Super Eagles in Libya during their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier.
The October 15 incident, which took place in Benghazi, saw the Nigerian players allegedly subjected to hours of hardship, with reports indicating that they were stranded at a Libyan airport without access to basic necessities like food and internet. This sparked outrage within the Nigerian sporting community, leading to an official complaint to CAF.
After investigating the matter, the CAF Disciplinary Board ruled that the Libyan Football Federation had breached multiple articles in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Regulations, including Articles 31, 82, and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. The Board outlined the following decisions:
- Match Forfeiture by Libya: The qualifier match between Libya and Nigeria, initially scheduled for October 15, 2024, has been forfeited by Libya. CAF awarded a 3-0 victory to Nigeria, ruling that Libya's actions constituted a breach of fair play standards.
- Monetary Fine: In addition to forfeiting the match, the Libyan Football Federation has been fined USD 50,000. CAF ordered that this fine be paid within 60 days of notification.
- Dismissal of Further Claims: Any other motions or appeals related to the incident were dismissed, finalizing CAF’s decision on the matter.
Background on the Incident
The Nigerian team’s experience in Libya involved delays and denial of amenities, which were reportedly so severe that it took diplomatic intervention and public outcry to secure their release. Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh, criticized the incident, describing it as deliberate mistreatment and calling on CAF to uphold justice. Enoh refuted Libyan claims of similar treatment in Nigeria, pointing out that the Port Harcourt Airport, where the Libyan team landed, is well-equipped to handle international arrivals.
CAF’s investigation and subsequent ruling were seen as a necessary response to preserve the integrity of African football. CAF emphasized that host nations bear the responsibility of ensuring safe and fair conditions for visiting teams, and this ruling sends a clear message that any deviation from those standards will not be tolerated.
Libya’s Response to the Ruling
The Libyan Football Federation denied all allegations of deliberate mistreatment. In an official statement, they argued that the Nigerian delegation’s difficulties were logistical in nature and not intentional.
Libya claimed that they too encountered logistical issues when visiting Nigeria for the first leg of the qualifier, suggesting that such incidents can occur without malicious intent. However, CAF’s disciplinary action suggests that they found Libya’s handling of the situation to be inconsistent with its standards.
Conclusion
CAF’s sanctions against Libya reveal its commitment to upholding high standards in African football. The decision sends a clear warning to all member federations that any form of mistreatment or unfair practices will be met with swift and severe penalties.
With this ruling, CAF reaffirms its mission to create an environment where players and teams can compete fairly and safely, regardless of where matches are held.