Libyan Football Federation President Nasser Al-Suwai’i has strongly kicked against the CAF’s verdict of a $50,000 fine and forfeiture of three points and three goals to Nigeria over the delisted 2025 AFCON qualifying Group D fixture scheduled for October 15 in Benina.
According to Monday’s report on Libyan outlet, Libyan Observer, Al-Suwai’i described the ruling as “unjust and malicious,” alleging that the Nigeria Football Federation’s influence within CAF played a major role in the outcome.
Libyan Football Federation was given 60 days to pay the fine after being found guilty of violating Article 31 of the 2019 African Cup of Nations regulations of the Confederation of African Football as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the Confederation’s Disciplinary Code by first diverting the Benghazi-bound Nigeria’s flight to Al-Abraq International Airport, where the Super Eagles players and crew were held hostage by Libyan authorities for 18 hours without food and water.
Al-Suwai’i confirmed that the LFF would file an official appeal within hours, calling the sanctions unacceptable and further indicating that if the appeal is denied, the LFF would resort to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to ensure “their legitimate rights are secured.”
Meanwhile, Libyan News Agency also reported on Monday that the Libya FA is celebrating CAF’s lifting the ban on the national team playing their next home matches on away soil, a punitive measure not mentioned in the ruling.
The decision came after the intervention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the Libyan government, Abdel Hadi Al-Huwaij.
The verdict leaves Nigeria on the brink of qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco as they maintain the pole position with 10 points, three adrift of Benin Republic in second place, with two rounds of matches left in the series. Libya remain rock bottom with one point and absolutely ruled out of contention for the group’s two tickets.
