Harsh sanction for Libyan FA over fixture debacle

Nigeria will require a point from their last two matches this month to advance to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after continental football chiefs awarded them a 3-0 victory over Libya and fined the Libyan federation €46 000 for shambolic organisation in the prelude to a qualifier between the sides on 15 October. Radio France Internationale reports that the 2023 Cup of Nations runners-up were due to land at Benghazi airport for the Group D encounter in the city but their aircraft was diverted to Al Abraq Airport in Bayda, 200km away. The squad remained in the departures lounge for more than 16 hours before returning to Nigeria and boycotting the game. The Libyan Football Federation said it regretted the flight diversion. ‘It is essential to note that such incidents can occur due to routine air traffic control protocols, security checks or logistical challenges that affect international air travel,’ a spokesperson noted. However, the Nigerian federation lodged a complaint for what it called inhumane treatment with the Confederation of African Football, (Caf) which organises the biennial Cup of Nations. Its disciplinary committee ruled that Libya had breached several articles of the Caf code. ‘The Libya-Nigeria match is declared lost by forfeit by Libya (with a score of 3-0),’ Caf added.