Libya football federation to appeal CAF sanctions

The Libya Football Federation (LFF) is reportedly planning an appeal to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in response to severe sanctions over the disrupted 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Nigeria.

The CAF sanction came after the match billed for Benghazi on October 15 was called off by CAF when Nigeria decided to boycott the fixture following inhumane treatment by the Libyan authorities, who detained the Super Eagles delegation to the game for over 16 hours without food, water or access to communications.

The Libyans had earlier diverted the Nigerian team’s flight from the earlier scheduled Benghazi to Al Abraq Airport, which, according to the Nigerian team’s Tunisian pilot, did not have the required navigation facilities for such flights.

In its sanction, CAF’s Disciplinary Board, in a decision signed by chairman Ousmane Kane, stated that Libya had violated Article 31 of the AFCON regulations, as well as Articles 82 and 151 of CAF’s Disciplinary Code.

“The Libya Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code,” the CAF statement read.

“The match No. 87 Libya v. Nigeria of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October in Benghazi) declared lost by forfeit by Libya (by a score of 3-0).

“The Libya Football Federation is ordered to pay a fine of USD 50,000. The fine is to be paid within 60 days of notification of the present decision. All other and further motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”

In response, the LFF expressed deep dissatisfaction with the CAF sanction, calling it unjust and unfairly placing them at the bottom of Group D in the