CAF Slams Fresh Sanctions Against Libya

Libya is back in hot water just a few days after filing an appeal to overturn CAF’s decision regarding their botched 2025 AFCON qualifier against Nigeria.

New sanctions have been imposed on the Libya Football Federation (LFF) by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The new sanctions, which include a fine of $20,000 and two upcoming matches that will take place behind closed doors, add even more tension to the North African nation’s already volatile situation.

Following Libya’s appeal of CAF’s initial decision, which gave Nigeria three points and three goals after a gaffe at the airport involving visitors from Libya, the most recent sanctions were imposed.

Nigeria’s national team was traveling to Benghazi for the AFCON qualifier on October 15 when their flight was diverted to Al-Abraq Airport. There, they were stuck for more than 18 hours, forcing them to boycott the AFCON return leg match and return home.

CAF had ruled that Libya had broken several rules when they handled the Nigerian team’s arrival, which resulted in the match being forfeited and Libya receiving a $50,000 fine. Libya, on the other hand, quickly filed an appeal to overturn Nigeria’s victory.