The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has levied a substantial $50,000 fine against Libya and mandated that the country host its next two matches behind closed doors as a consequence of supporter and official misconduct during their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Benin on November 18th in Benghazi. This disciplinary action is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Libyan football, further tarnishing the nation’s image within the African football community. The incident in Benghazi, the details of which have not been fully disclosed, involved actions deemed serious enough by CAF to warrant significant punitive measures. This sanction underscores CAF’s increasing commitment to upholding disciplinary standards and ensuring the safety and integrity of its competitions.
This recent penalty follows closely on the heels of another controversial incident involving Libya’s national team. In October, Libya was censured for its handling of the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, during an AFCON qualifier. Libyan authorities diverted the Nigerian team’s aircraft to an unsafe airport, stranding the players and officials for over 20 hours without access to basic amenities. This act, deemed “inhumane treatment” by CAF, resulted in the match’s cancellation and Nigeria being awarded three points by default. The incident sparked outrage within the Nigerian football community and raised serious concerns about the treatment of visiting teams.
The repercussions of the October incident extended beyond the football pitch, spilling into the diplomatic arena. Allegations emerged of retaliatory actions by Libyan authorities against Nigerian residents in Libya, though these claims were denied by the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, representatives of the Nigerian community in Libya reported instances of harassment and arbitrary arrests, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of Nigerian citizens residing in the North African nation. The incident highlighted the potential for football-related disputes to escalate into broader diplomatic tensions and underscores the importance of ensuring the safety and security of all participants in international sporting events.
In a separate ruling, CAF rejected Guinea’s appeal to disqualify Tanzania from the 2024 AFCON. Guinea’s complaint centered on an alleged violation of regulations regarding player shirt numbers. Guinea claimed that Tanzanian substitute Ibrahim Ame wore an incorrect shirt number (26) during their qualifier, a number not listed on the official team sheet. CAF’s dismissal of the appeal suggests that the perceived infraction was not deemed significant enough to warrant disqualification or that Guinea failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their claim. This decision emphasizes CAF’s adherence to established procedures and its reluctance to overturn results based on minor technicalities.
The Libyan Football Federation had previously attempted to justify their actions against Nigeria by citing alleged poor treatment experienced by their team during their visit to Nigeria for the first leg of the qualifier. They claimed complications arose upon landing in Port Harcourt instead of the designated match venue, Uyo. However, these claims did not sway CAF’s disciplinary committee, which ultimately held Libya accountable for its actions. This suggests that CAF viewed the Libyan response as disproportionate and unacceptable, regardless of any perceived prior grievances.
CAF’s decisive actions against Libya, coupled with its rulings on other disciplinary matters involving Benin and Equatorial Guinea, signal a firm commitment to addressing misconduct and upholding ethical standards within African football. The imposition of significant fines and playing bans demonstrates the continental body’s determination to hold member associations accountable for the behavior of their players, officials, and supporters. The details of the sanctions against Benin and Equatorial Guinea were not immediately available, but their inclusion in CAF’s disciplinary announcements indicates that their actions also warranted scrutiny and punitive measures. These collective actions represent a significant step towards fostering a more disciplined and respectful environment within African football, promoting fair play and ensuring the integrity of competitions.
