Libya has intensified its efforts to secure a place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) by appealing the ruling made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that affected their qualification.
The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has submitted an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after being penalized with a three-point deduction and a fine of USD 50,000 due to an incident related to the team’s arrival at the airport in Benin last month.
Libya’s chances of qualifying for their first AFCON tournament since 2012 were dashed following a 0-0 draw against Benin Republic at the Tripoli International Stadium.
Despite a strong performance, this result meant that the Mediterranean Knights missed out on a qualifying spot in Group D.
This outcome was further impacted by Rwanda’s unexpected 2-1 victory over Nigeria, allowing Benin Republic to secure the final qualification slot.
The LFF is contesting the CAF’s decision, which stemmed from the aforementioned airport incident involving the Libyan team prior to their critical match.
The ruling led to the deduction of three points and the monetary penalty, which significantly affected Libya’s qualification prospects.
CAS, located in Lausanne, Switzerland, has confirmed that it will hear Libya’s appeal. Should the ruling be overturned, it could influence the qualification process, although it is unlikely to change Nigeria’s standing, as there are no international fixtures scheduled until March of next year.
The case remains under scrutiny, with Libya continuing to challenge CAF’s decision.
Shina Oludare is a distinguished sports journalist and managing editor, renowned for his comprehensive coverage of African football. His dedication to elevating African sports on the global stage has earned him widespread respect, along with numerous accolades for his contributions. A graduate of the LaLiga Business School in Madrid, Oludare’s passion for sports and his influential work in African football journalism have established him as a leading figure in the industry.
