The Libya Football Federation (LFF) has announced plans to appeal the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision regarding the canceled Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Nigeria.
CAF’s ruling, which awarded Nigeria the points for the botched October 15 game, has sparked strong reactions within the Libyan camp. Now, the LFF is determined to challenge the decision, arguing that it doesn’t fairly reflect the events that transpired in Al-Abraq International Airport.
A source close to the Libyan federation disclosed to Brila.net that the LFF is working swiftly to file an appeal. This appeal, the source added, will be presented within the official three-day window CAF grants for such cases. “They will respond to CAF with a special lawyer without any media show,” the source explained, signaling that Libya intends to keep its arguments out of the public eye as much as possible.
CAF’s initial decision, confirmed by an official on Saturday, found Libya at fault for violating key competition rules. According to CAF’s Disciplinary Board, the Libyan team failed to ensure adequate facilities for Nigeria’s Super Eagles, forcing them to face severe travel disruptions. The Nigerian team’s flight was unexpectedly diverted to Al-Abraq International Airport, a situation that stranded them for over 18 hours. Sources revealed that during this ordeal, the Super Eagles players were left without basic amenities, a factor CAF highlighted in its ruling.
CAF’s ruling handed Nigeria the three points from the forfeited match, moving them closer to securing their qualification for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. Nigeria now needs only one additional point to guarantee their spot, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by Libyan officials.
The LFF’s argument for the appeal, while not fully disclosed, reportedly centers on what they claim are “inaccuracies” in CAF’s ruling. Libya is likely to present their appeal through a legal representative, hoping to challenge the disciplinary committee’s findings.
Inside sources from Libya claim the LFF is angered by CAF’s approach to the investigation and decision-making process. “The match was not properly judged,” one insider stated. “We believe there are critical details CAF missed or ignored.”
Libya’s frustration is intensified by their standing in Group D of the AFCON qualifiers. With CAF’s ruling placing them at the bottom of the group, their chances of progressing are now slim. The appeal, therefore, carries significant weight for Libya’s football hopes.
The appeal is not just about the points or even the outcome of the Nigeria match. Analysts see it as a critical test of CAF’s disciplinary process and its transparency. This decision has thrown the organization into the spotlight, with many stakeholders watching closely.
CAF’s disciplinary rulings have been called into question before, particularly in high-stakes tournaments like AFCON. Observers believe the outcome of Libya’s appeal will shape perceptions about CAF’s authority and fairness in handling disputes.
