AFCON Qualifiers: CAF hands victory to Nigeria, fines Libya $50,000

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded three points, and three goals to Nigeria for the abandoned game against Libya. The decision follows an investigation 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.AF 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:

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 Confederation of African Football 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).

AFCON Qualifiers

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.
Background to the Controversy
The ruling comes after a series of investigations by CAF into reports that surfaced regarding Libya’s alleged use of ineligible players during their recent AFCON qualifying match against Nigeria. According to CAF’s findings, Libya’s roster reportedly included players who failed to meet eligibility criteria outlined in CAF’s regulations. The breach not only jeopardized the integrity of the game but also presented a clear violation of the tournament’s rules.

Following this revelation, CAF held several discussions to examine the evidence and assess appropriate sanctions. After a comprehensive review, CAF concluded that awarding Nigeria the win would be the fairest outcome, given the circumstances surrounding Libya’s non-compliance.

CAF’s Decision and Its Implications
CAF’s verdict to award Nigeria the victory has shifted the standings in their qualifying group, putting Nigeria in a stronger position to secure a spot in the upcoming AFCON tournament. The decision, however, was not solely focused on points and standings; CAF has made it clear that fair play and adherence to regulations are critical to the success and integrity of African football competitions.

In addition to awarding Nigeria the victory, CAF imposed a $50,000 fine on the Libyan Football Federation as a penalty for the violation. This substantial fine serves as a reminder to all participating teams of the serious consequences that come with disregarding eligibility requirements and other regulatory standards. By enforcing these penalties, CAF aims to prevent similar occurrences in future matches and emphasize the importance of rule compliance.

Nigeria’s Reaction to the Ruling
Nigeria’s football community has generally welcomed CAF’s decision, with officials and fans expressing satisfaction that the governing body took action to address the breach. The awarded victory not only improves Nigeria’s standing in the qualifiers but also reinforces the team’s hopes of progressing to the AFCON tournament.

Several Nigerian players and team officials expressed confidence in their performance and insisted that their success was merited. Nigerian Football Federation representatives also voiced their support for CAF’s stance on upholding the rules, applauding the governing body’s swift response to the issue. The awarded points have boosted Nigeria’s qualification campaign and reinvigorated fan enthusiasm as the team prepares for the next round of qualifiers.

Libya’s Response and Potential Appeal
On the other hand, Libya’s football authorities have expressed disappointment with the ruling, noting that they had not intended to violate any regulations. In a statement, the Libyan Football Federation indicated that they were reviewing the specifics of the ruling and assessing whether to appeal the decision. Officials from Libya’s football governing body have suggested that any oversight was unintentional and emphasized their commitment to fair play.

Libya’s team, meanwhile, faces a setback in their qualification journey, as the ruling places them at a disadvantage in the standings. For Libyan fans, the outcome is undoubtedly frustrating, with many supporters hoping the federation will take measures to prevent such regulatory issues in the future.

Broader Impact on the AFCON Qualifiers
CAF’s decisive action in this matter serves as a strong message to all participating teams in the AFCON qualifiers, reinforcing the importance of adhering to the tournament’s regulations. As CAF works to ensure transparency and discipline within African football, it is likely that teams will be more vigilant in their compliance with eligibility and other requirements.

The outcome also underscores the competitiveness of the AFCON qualifiers, where teams are closely monitored, and every game is critical. With a place in the prestigious AFCON tournament at stake, the stakes are high, and CAF’s enforcement of rules highlights its commitment to fairness for all teams vying for a spot in the competition.

CAF’s ruling additionally raises questions about the procedures and checks teams must follow to verify player eligibility. Football experts suggest that federations should strengthen their vetting processes to avoid inadvertent rule violations, especially in high-stakes tournaments like AFCON.

Looking Ahead
With Nigeria now one step closer to securing a place in the AFCON tournament, the team will aim to capitalize on the momentum gained from this decision. Nigeria’s players and coaching staff remain focused on delivering strong performances in the upcoming matches, recognizing that their journey to AFCON is far from over.

Meanwhile, Libya’s team faces the challenge of regrouping and staying competitive despite the setback. As the Libyan Football Federation considers its options regarding a potential appeal, the focus will be on learning from this incident and ensuring compliance in future games.

CAF’s decision to award Nigeria the victory and fine Libya underscores the importance of maintaining high standards in African football. The ruling serves as a reminder of the critical role regulations play in promoting fair play and integrity in the sport, setting a precedent for similar cases in the future. As the AFCON qualifiers continue, teams across Africa will be watching closely, taking note of CAF’s commitment to upholding the values that make football a unifying force across the continent.

Source: vanguardngr

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