CAF Announces Judgement on Super Eagles’ Airport Hostage Ordeal in Libya

• The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced its verdict on the Libya vs Nigeria saga
• Libyan authorities held the Super Eagles hostage for about 16 hours at Al Abraq International Airport
• The match was initially postponed after the incident was referred to CAF's disciplinary committee

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced its judgment on the Libya vs Nigeria airport hostage saga nearly two weeks after the incident.

Libyan authorities held the Super Eagles hostage for about 16 hours at Al Abraq International Airport after dangerously rerouting their flight away from Benghazi.

CAF acknowledged the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF's official complaint and postponed the match pending the verdict of its ethics and disciplinary committee.

CAF’s judgement on Libya airport saga

The African football governing body held a hearing on the incident yesterday, Tuesday, October 22, 2024, during its 46th Ordinary General Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

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The African football governing body has now announced its verdict.

"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 CAF 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)," the statement from CAF reads.

The Libya Football Federation is also ordered to pay a fine of USD 50,000 within 60 days.

UK-based Nigerian journalist Rilwan Balogun discussed the long-term effect of the verdict on African football, noting that the social media presence of Nigeria, which has been cited as an advantage by Libya, actually had CAF in the right place for the decision.

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"On the basis of what transpired and all the footage available, I think it was clear Libya would get punished for what could even be a human rights offence,” he told Legit.ng.

“It is a good decision in a continent that has seen far too many poor decisions in similar situations, but there will be question marks about the consistency of CAF here.

“If Nigeria didn’t have the might, eyes and ears we do, would it have been a different ball game? I think eyes will really be on CAF moving forward, and football associations will write many petitions.”

“That said, I think it’s a good decision for African football and one that will be expected to serve as a deterrent to others who may be hatching such plans,” he concluded.

Libyan FA readies next action

Legit.ng reported that the Libyan FA has prepared for next action in case they lose the case against Nigeria before CAF's disciplinary committee after the airport hostage saga.

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The North Africans are reportedly preparing for their appeal and are ready to go as far as the Court of Arbitration for Sport to absolve themselves of any wrongdoing.

West African countries backed Nigeria

Legit.ng reported that two West African countries backed Nigeria after they requested CAF to hand them a walkover in their airport hostage case against Libya.

Senegal and Cameroon supported the NFF's case, claiming the host's inhumane treatment forced the Super Eagles to walk away from playing the match.

Source: Legit.ng