The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has penalized the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) with a $50,000 fine for unruly behavior during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The controversy stemmed from a goalless draw between Libya and Benin in Benghazi, a result that secured Benin’s spot in the tournament. Following the match, enraged Libyan fans threw stones and bottles at the visiting team, creating a chaotic scene.
Benin’s head coach, Gernot Rohr, revealed that players and officials faced assaults not only from fans but also from local police after the final whistle.
CAF’s Disciplinary Board found Libya in violation of Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, citing unacceptable conduct by supporters and officials during and after the match. As a result, the LFF has been fined $50,000 and must play its next two home matches behind closed doors.
In their statement, CAF confirmed:
“The Libyan Football Federation was found guilty of violating Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code due to the behavior of its supporters and officials. The Federation is required to play its next two official national team matches behind closed doors and has been fined USD 50,000.”
This is not the first disciplinary action against Libya. Months earlier, the LFF faced another $50,000 fine following a failed match against the Nigerian Super Eagles, during which the Nigerian team was stranded at Al-Abraq International Airport for over 20 hours before ultimately abandoning the game.
CAF’s decisions underscore its commitment to ensuring fair play and maintaining discipline in African football.
