The Libya Football Federation (LFF) has filed an appeal to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the penalties imposed on them following the disrupted 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Nigeria.
According to the Libyan news outlet ‘Alwasat’, the LFF claims the decision to place Libya at the bottom of Group D in the qualifiers is unfair.
To support their case, the LFF has enlisted Tunisian lawyer Ali Abbas.
News About Nigeria reported that the CAF Disciplinary Committee reached its decision after a comprehensive investigation sparked by a complaint from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The NFF reported that the Nigerian team, the Super Eagles, faced a 20-hour ordeal when they were diverted to Labraq Airport, located 300 km from the intended match venue in Benghazi, and were held there without food or water for 18 hours.
This experience reportedly left the Super Eagles physically and mentally unfit to compete, leading to their return to Nigeria on October 14.
Despite attempts by the LFF to defend its actions, CAF’s Disciplinary Committee ruled against Libya on Saturday, with a statement signed by chairman Ousmane Kane.
The committee found the LFF in violation of Article 31 of the AFCON Regulations, as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
Consequently, the match between Libya and Nigeria, originally scheduled for October 15, was awarded to Nigeria by default with a 3-0 score. Additionally, the LFF faces a $50,000 fine, payable within 60 days.
This ruling boosts Nigeria’s qualification prospects, as the Super Eagles now sit at the top of Group D with 10 points, followed by the Benin Republic with six points and Rwanda with five.
Libya remains last with just one point, now officially out of contention for AFCON 2025. Nigeria can secure their spot in the finals with a win or draw against Benin Republic on November 14 in Abidjan.
