CAF Fines Libya $50,000, Hands 3 Points To Nigeria

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded three points, and three goals to Nigeria for their unplayed game against Libya.

The followed investigations into the botched October 15 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Benghazi by the CAF Disciplinary Board.

Nigeria had walked away from the tie following poor treatment by the host country that left Super Eagles players and staff stranded at an abandoned airport for almost a day.

CAF in its ruling said it found the Libya Football Federation to have breached Article 31 of the African Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

The 5-point decision reads thus;
The Libya Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the African Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
The match No.87 Libya v. Nigeria of the CAF African Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October 2024 in Benghazi) is declared lost by forfeit by Libya (by a score of 3-0).

The Libya Football Federation is ordered to pay a fine of USD 50,000.
The fine is to be paid within 60 days of notification of the present decision.
All other and further motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.
CAF president, Patrice Motsepe had earlier said that the continental body would not tolerate any lack of sportsmanship and unfair treatment in African football.

With the decision, Nigeria now has ten (10) points from four games and remain at the top of Group D.

Recall that Super Eagles of Nigeria were due to play Libya on Tuesday evening and flew to Libya on Sunday night; the Super Eagles’ flight was diverted to Al Abraq Airport, a three-hour drive away from their original destination in Benghazi; the Nigeria squad were stranded for over 12 hours without food or water

Nigeria players were left stranded at an airport in Libya with no food, drink or internet and therefore have decided to return home and not play the match.
Nigeria’s players have arrived home and are boycotting Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Libya after being stranded at an airport for over 12 hours.

The Super Eagles players and staff flew out to Libya on Sunday night but were diverted to the Al Abraq Airport instead of their original destination of Benghazi Airport, which is over 200km and three and a half hours away from where they were staying.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) claimed in a statement they were stuck at the Al Abraq Airport throughout Sunday night, with some players suggesting they were left without food and water.

Nigeria were due to play Libya in Benghazi on Tuesday night, but the Super Eagles have said they are making plans to fly back home instead of playing the fixture.