AFCON Qualifier: CAF slams fresh sanctions against Libya
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has criticized new sanctions imposed on the Libya Football Federation (LFF).
The penalties now include a $20,000 fine and two matches scheduled to be played behind closed doors, due to a separate incident.
These latest sanctions follow Libya’s appeal against the initial CAF decision, which resulted in Nigeria being awarded three points and three goals following an incident at the airport involving the visiting team.
The Super Eagles and Libya were originally scheduled to play against the Libyan team at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benina, Benghazi on October 15, in matchday four of the AFCON qualification series. However, when the Nigerian team’s flight landed at the Al Abaq airport, they were held ‘’hostage’ for over 20 hours without food and drinks.
Following this ordeal, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced the Super Eagles’ withdrawal from the qualifying match and requested their return home.
CAF had ruled that Libya violated several regulations in handling the Nigerian team’s arrival, leading to a forfeited match and a $50,000 fine. Libya, however, swiftly filed an appeal, seeking to reverse the victory awarded to Nigeria.
As they attempted to appeal CAF’s ruling in favour of Nigeria, the country’s football body was handed yet another penalty.
This time, a separate Libyan team faced a $20,000 fine and was ordered to play their next two matches behind closed doors due to violent incidents that occurred during a recent game.