AFCON Qualifier: CAF Slams Fresh Sanctions Against Libya

Just days after filing an appeal to overturn CAF’s verdict on their botched 2025 AFCON qualifier against Nigeria, Libya has found itself in hot water again.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has slammed fresh sanctions against Libya Football Federation (LFF).

The new sanctions, which include a $20,000 fine and two upcoming matches behind closed doors, add more tension to an already explosive situation for the North African nation.

The latest sanctions come in the wake of Libya’s appeal against the initial decision by CAF, which saw Nigeria awarded three points and three goals after an airport debacle involving the visitors in Libya.

During their journey to Benghazi for the October 15 AFCON qualifier, Nigeria’s national team had their flight diverted to Al-Abraq Airport, where they were stranded for over 18 hours, forcing them to boycott the AFCON return leg match and 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 fight off CAF’s ruling in favour of Nigeria, the country’s football body was handed yet another penalty. This time, a separate Libyan team was fined $20,000 and ordered to play their next two games behind closed doors due to violent incidents during a recent match. This second punishment only piles on the country’s footballing woes, as tensions escalate between Libya and CAF.