In a decisive ruling, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has handed down significant penalties to the Libya Football Federation over the abandoned 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between Libya and Nigeria. The match, initially scheduled to take place in Benghazi on October 15, 2024, saw Nigeria’s Super Eagles left stranded for hours without adequate provisions, ultimately leading to a cancellation. CAF’s investigation has now declared the match forfeited in favor of Nigeria, awarding the Super Eagles a 3-0 victory.
The disciplinary ruling outlined several key findings.
1. Regulations Breach: The Libya Football Federation was found to have violated Article 31 of the AFCON Regulations, as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. These articles address both the logistical obligations of host federations and the need to maintain safe conditions for visiting teams.
2. Match Declared Forfeit: CAF has officially declared Match No.87 of the AFCON Qualifiers 2025 between Libya and Nigeria a forfeit by Libya, granting Nigeria a 3-0 win on paper. The decision provides clarity to the qualification standings and ensures Nigeria’s progress remains unaffected by the incident.
3. Financial Penalty: Libya has been ordered to pay a fine of USD 50,000, which must be settled within 60 days of notification. This penalty is intended to emphasize the importance of organizational standards and uphold the integrity of AFCON fixtures.
In their decision, CAF noted that all other motions or additional appeals by Libya have been dismissed, indicating that the ruling is conclusive and binding. The penalty underscores CAF’s commitment to maintaining strict compliance with tournament standards, especially where the safety and welfare of players are concerned.
The controversy surrounding the October qualifier emerged after Nigeria’s Super Eagles were reportedly diverted to an alternative airport upon arrival and left without necessary accommodations or refreshments for over 16 hours. In a subsequent investigation, CAF gathered testimonies, including statements from the flight’s pilot, who described operational challenges and security concerns. The decision to penalize Libya highlights CAF’s intention to hold host nations accountable for the comfort and safety of visiting teams, setting a strong precedent for future tournaments.
With this ruling, Nigeria’s Super Eagles seal their spot for the next year’s AFCON.
