Just days after Libya filed an appeal to overturn the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) controversial ruling regarding their disrupted 2025 AFCON qualifier against Nigeria, the situation has escalated for the North African nation.
CAF has imposed fresh sanctions against the Libya Football Federation (LFF), adding to the mounting pressure surrounding Libyan football.
The latest penalties include a $20,000 fine and a requirement for two upcoming matches to be played behind closed doors.
These sanctions intensify an already volatile situation for Libya, which has struggled to navigate the fallout from the recent debacle.
The trouble began when Libya’s handling of Nigeria’s national team during their travel to Benghazi for the October 15 AFCON qualifier led to significant issues.
The Nigerian team experienced a flight diversion to Al-Abraq Airport, where they were stranded for over 18 hours. This ordeal ultimately forced them to boycott the return leg match and return home, prompting CAF to rule in favor of Nigeria, awarding them three points and three goals.
CAF found Libya in violation of multiple regulations regarding the arrival of the Nigerian team, leading to a forfeiture of the match and an initial fine of $50,000. In response, Libya quickly filed an appeal, hoping to reverse the decision that favored Nigeria.
However, as they challenge CAF’s ruling, the LFF has now received additional penalties. In a separate incident, another Libyan team was fined $20,000 and ordered to play their next two matches behind closed doors due to violent incidents during a recent game.
This latest round of sanctions compounds the ongoing struggles of Libyan football, highlighting the increasing tensions between the country and CAF.
With the appeal still pending and new sanctions being imposed, the future of Libyan football remains uncertain. As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on CAF’s decisions and Libya’s next moves in this contentious saga.