Sports
Football: NFF hopeful for intense sanctions on libya from CAF
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to announce its decision regarding the controversial AFCON Group D qualifying match between Libya and Nigeria, originally scheduled for October 15 at Benina Martyrs Stadium.
This match was moved from its original location, the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benghazi, to the smaller venue after Libya’s 1-0 defeat to Nigeria at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. The Nigerian team faced serious issues as their flight was redirected by Libyan authorities to Al-Abraq Airport, where they were held for nearly 18 hours without food or water before returning home in poor condition.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) filed a complaint with CAF, which has since suspended the match and referred the case to its Disciplinary Committee. On Tuesday, CAF’s Executive Committee held a hearing in Ethiopia involving all parties before today’s announcement.
Abdul Hakim Al-Shalmani, President of the Libya Football Association, presented Libya’s perspective, highlighting their hospitality towards African teams, including recent matches against Sudan and Ghana.
In contrast, former NFF President Amaju Pinnick, along with other football officials, raised serious allegations against Libya, calling for strict sanctions. As the football community waits for the verdict, Nigerian stakeholders are calling for strong penalties against Libya.
Chief Victor Rumson Baribote, former Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League, emphasized that the diversion of the flight violated aviation rules, suggesting this incident was retaliatory and should result in harsh punishment for Libya. He likened the treatment of the Nigerian team to slavery, which contradicts the African Charter’s principles.
David Doherty, a UK-based football administrator and former NFF presidential candidate, echoed the sentiment that Libya should face significant penalties, potentially including playing future matches outside of Libya. He expressed hope that CAF would remain fair in their judgment.
Opinions from other stakeholders included calls for decisive action from CAF to ensure accountability for Libya’s officials, with some suggesting that Nigeria should automatically receive the three points, while others anticipated a possible rescheduling of the match in a neutral country like Tunisia or Egypt.