Libyan Football Federation to appeal Africa Cup of Nations sanctions following Nigeria match cancellation

The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has announced its intention to “go to the highest levels of litigation” in an effort to reverse sanctions levied against it following the cancellation of the national team’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Nigeria. Libya has participated in the Africa Cup of Nations finals only three times, with its most recent appearance in 2012. The Super Eagles boycotted the scheduled match in Benghazi after their flight from Nigeria was rerouted from its planned destination, resulting in the squad being stranded overnight in an airport terminal. The period leading up to the fixture, which was set for 15 October, was characterized by an escalating tit-for-tat dispute between the two nations. Subsequently, a disciplinary board of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) awarded Nigeria a 3-0 victory and imposed a fine of $50,000 (£38,500) on the LFF. LFF acting president Abdunnaser Ahmed conveyed his disapproval to BBC Sport Africa, stating, “Match points cannot be awarded in this way.” He further added, “It is a precedent that African football has never witnessed before,” and asserted, “Whoever refrains from playing before any match is cancelled should be considered a loser.” The ruling by Caf places Libya on the verge of elimination from the qualifying competition, as the Mediterranean Knights must secure victories in both of their two outstanding Group D matches and rely on opponents Benin and Rwanda not accumulating any points. While a statement from the continent’s governing body indicated that “all further motions or prayers for relief are dismissed,” Mr. Ahmed affirmed that the LFF intends to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) should it become necessary. He further stated, “We believe that our cause is just,” and continued, “We will see Caf’s response to the appeal submitted by us and we will go to Cas. [We] will not give up our right.” Ahmed concluded by remarking, “Such decisions place football officials in Africa before a new phase of dramatic scenes.” Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong characterized the Caf board’s decision as “justice.” The centre-back elaborated in a post on X, stating, “Plane was diverted from scheduled airport even when the pilot told them he was low on fuel.” He also described the squad’s treatment in Libya as “mind games.” Nigeria reported that no explanation was provided for their aircraft being directed to Al Abraq, a location approximately 230km (143 miles) from Benghazi, and that no LFF representative met them upon their arrival on 13 October. Players subsequently shared on social media that they were left without food, wi-fi, or sleeping accommodations, leading the Super Eagles squad to return to West Africa the day prior to the match. Concurrently, Libya lodged complaints regarding alleged poor treatment of their squad in Nigeria before the reverse fixture on 11 October, which the host nation won 1-0. Caf intervened by cancelling the match in North Africa, and a disciplinary board concluded that Libya had violated two articles of its disciplinary code along with an article of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations. These breaches pertained to principles of conduct, security provisions for match organization, and the accommodation of visiting teams. At the time of the incident, Troost-Ekong had characterized the treatment Nigeria received as “mind games,” though the LFF refuted any allegations of foul play. Mr. Ahmed contended that Caf “did not evaluate the real situation,” explaining that “The plane’s course was changed for technical and logistical reasons related to air navigation.” Nigeria’s foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, informed Newsday on the BBC World Service that the circumstances were “most unfortunate” and made more complex by Libya’s division into two administrations, both asserting legitimacy as the country’s rulers. He elaborated, stating, “Our team flew into a part of the country that was under the control of a government that did not have diplomatic representation in Abuja.” The 3-0 walkover decision positions Nigeria one victory away from securing qualification for the 2025 Nations Cup in Morocco. Caf’s ruling to grant Nigeria a 3-0 walkover advances the Super Eagles closer to qualification while simultaneously placing Libya on the brink of elimination.