AFCON Qualifier: CAF slams fresh sanctions against Libya

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

The new sanctions include a $20,000 fine and two upcoming matches behind closed doors over a different incident.

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 ordeal involving the visitors in Libya.

Recall 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.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) would later announce the Super Eagles’ withdrawal from the qualifying match and asked them to 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 was fined $20,000 and ordered to play their next two games behind closed doors due to violent incidents during a recent match.