The Libyan Football Federation has decided to go to any length to make sure the verdict by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is overturned even if it means taking the case to the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS).
The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) was found guilty by CAF to have “breached Article 31 of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code” and therefore their match against Nigeria was declared “lost by forfeit (by a score of 3-0)” and this meant Nigeria would be awarded three points. The LFF was also mandated to pay a fine of USD 50,000.
This decision was said to be “unfair” by the CAF. According to the LFF acting President, Abdunnaser Ahmed, in an interview with BBC Sport Africa, “Match points cannot be awarded in this way. It is a precedent that African football has never witnessed before. Whoever refrains from playing before any match is cancelled should be considered a loser.”
Ahmed said they would see the case up to the CAS level if it demanded it.
“We believe that our cause is just, we will see CAF’s response to the appeal submitted by us and we will go to CAS, we will not give up our right,” he said.
The point deduction leaves Libya at the bottom of the table with two matches left to fight for a qualification spot with the hope that Rwanda and Benin Republic fail to pick up points in their other matches.
