In a major development, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has ruled in favor of Nigeria over a protest concerning the scheduled African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier against Libya.
The decision, issued on October 23, 2024, found Libya in violation of critical AFCON and CAF Disciplinary Code regulations, resulting in a forfeit that grants Nigeria a 3-0 victory.
The match, originally scheduled for October 15, 2024, in Benghazi, Libya, was canceled following regulatory breaches by the Libya Football Federation (LFF).
After a review by CAF’s disciplinary board—chaired by Ousmane Kane of Senegal and including members from Kenya, Chad, Lesotho, and South Africa—the board cited Libya for violating Article 31 of the AFCON Regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. These violations led to CAF’s decision to forfeit the game in Nigeria’s favor.
Alongside the automatic loss, the LFF faces additional penalties, including a substantial $50,000 fine that must be paid within 60 days.
CAF’s ruling stated that this decision was final, dismissing any additional appeals or requests from the Libyan side regarding this match.
This ruling significantly impacts Libya’s standings in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, with the forfeited points posing a setback to their chances of progressing in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Nigeria benefits from the 3-0 score, strengthening its position as the qualifiers advance.
CAF’s actions highlight its commitment to enforcing high standards of regulatory compliance and fair play across African football.
This decisive ruling not only reinforces CAF’s stance on discipline but also sends a clear message to all member associations regarding the strict adherence required under the confederation’s code.
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