CAF and FIFA’s possible punishment for Libya over Super Eagles’ maltreatment
In recent days, a troubling incident involving the Nigerian football team stranded in Libya has raised discussions within the football community. According to reports, Nigerian players and officials were left stranded for about 24 hours at the airport after their flight was allegedly diverted deliberately. The players experienced physical discomfort, with some having to sleep on airport chairs.
“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi without reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without a phone connection, food, or drink. All to play mind games.
“I’ve experienced issues before while playing away in Africa, but this is disgraceful behaviour,” William Troost-Ekong (Super Eagles’ Captain) wrote on Instagram.
The incident has caused frustration not only for the Nigerian football community but has also raised questions about the Libyan Football Association’s role in the drama.
This incident is not the first of its kind in Libya as past reports indicate that other Nigerian teams have also been stranded and put to train without light during their visits. While Libya has claimed that its players were mistreated in a similar fashion during their first-leg match in Nigeria last week, the Nigerian Super Eagles chose not to play the match. The game, scheduled to take place yesterday, was postponed just as the Libyan team was reportedly preparing to enter the field.
Given the nature of the incident, it is important to explore the possible repercussions for the Libyan Football Association under the regulations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).
Both CAF and FIFA have established clear rules regarding the organization and smooth conduct of international matches. These regulations cover various aspects, from transportation and accommodations to player safety and matchday readiness.
Both CAF and FIFA emphasize fair play as a guiding principle of football, including the fair treatment of teams during all stages of a match, from travel arrangements to the playing field.
In a similar incident in November 2020, the Gabonese national football team was stranded overnight at the Banjul International Airport in Gambia before their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match against Gambia. The team, including star player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, had to sleep on the airport floor due to delays in processing their entry into the country. This caused an outcry from the team, with Gabon accusing Gambia of deliberately causing the delay to disrupt their preparations.
CAF fined Gambia’s Football Federation $100,000 for the incident after Gambia was found to have breached the regulations concerning the treatment of visiting teams. CAF also emphasized that host nations must provide adequate and timely entry arrangements for visiting teams, ensuring their comfort and safety.
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According to CAF regulations, the host nation is responsible for ensuring the visiting team’s logistical needs, such as safe transportation, accommodation, and adequate time for rest and training before the match. Any deviation or deliberate disruption of these logistics can be considered a breach of CAF rules. FIFA and CAF stress the importance of ensuring the safety of all football players and officials during international events. If the Nigerian team’s flight was indeed deliberately diverted, as claimed, this could represent a serious safety violation that potentially endangered the lives of the players, breaching both CAF and FIFA protocols on safety.
If a team refuses to play a match for reasons related to mistreatment or logistical failures, CAF’s Disciplinary Code allows for the investigation of the incident. FIFA also has rules on walkovers and forfeited matches, typically allowing sanctions against teams found guilty of deliberately causing a game to be postponed or unplayable.
Given the severity of the allegations, Libya’s Football Association could face significant sanctions under both CAF and FIFA regulations. CAF could impose heavy fines on the Libyan Football Association if it is found that the Nigerian team was deliberately mistreated. This would include penalties for logistical mismanagement, safety breaches, or failing to uphold their responsibilities as a host.
- Point Deduction or Match Forfeiture: If CAF determines that Libya’s actions directly led to the postponement of the match or that the Nigerian team’s refusal to play was justified due to maltreatment, Libya could face point deductions in the tournament standings. In more extreme cases, the match could be awarded to Nigeria via a walkover, giving Nigeria the points for the win.
- Suspension from International Competitions: If the safety violations are deemed severe, especially the accusation that the Nigerian team’s flight was deliberately diverted. CAF and FIFA could temporarily suspend Libya from participating in international football competitions. This would be a major blow to Libyan football and could damage the country’s reputation in the global football community.
- Requirement for Additional Security and Logistical Protocols: Libya may be required to implement stricter logistical and security measures when hosting future international matches. This could include CAF or FIFA monitoring their matchday preparations and ensuring that visiting teams receive adequate care and protection.
- Investigation by FIFA’s Ethics Committee: Given the severity of the accusations, FIFA’s Ethics Committee could launch its own investigation into the case. If it determines that any officials from the Libyan Football Association acted unethically or endangered the safety of the Nigerian team, those individuals could face personal sanctions, including suspensions or bans from football-related activities.
Although the bigger part of the issue rests on Libya’s actions, but the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) must ensure that their refusal to play the match is well-documented and justified under CAF rules. Failure to do so could lead to sanctions against the NFF for non-compliance with matchday obligations.
CAF and FIFA typically require that any disputes regarding match logistics or player treatment be reported officially, and the decision to refuse a match must be based on legitimate concerns about safety or fairness. The NFF must ensure that its actions comply with these regulations to avoid potential fines or penalties.
The situation between Libya and Nigeria highlights a broader issue within African football ensuring that all teams are treated fairly and safely. While rivalry is part of football, actions that endanger the lives of players or compromise the integrity of a match should be met with appropriate sanctions.
CAF and FIFA’s response to this incident will set an important foundation for how similar situations are handled in the future, sending a strong message about the importance of fair treatment, logistical responsibility, and player safety in African and international football.
As investigations unfold, we will be watching closely to see how both CAF and FIFA address this troubling event.
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By Francis Blessing
