The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed a $50,000 fine on the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) following incidents of misconduct during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The disciplinary action stems from the aftermath of Libya’s goalless draw with Benin in Benghazi on the final day of the qualifiers, a result that secured Benin’s spot in the continental tournament. The match outcome triggered outrage among Libyan fans, who threw stones and bottles at the visiting team.
Benin’s head coach, Gernot Rohr, revealed that players and officials were assaulted by fans and police after the final whistle, prompting widespread condemnation.
In its ruling, the CAF Disciplinary Board found the LFF guilty of violating Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code due to the actions of its supporters and officials. As a penalty, the LFF must play its next two official national team matches behind closed doors in addition to the $50,000 fine.
“The CAF Disciplinary Board found the Libyan Football Federation guilty of violating Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code for the behavior of its supporters and officials during and after the match. The Libyan Football Federation was ordered to play its next two official national team matches behind closed doors and fined USD 50,000,” CAF stated.
This incident follows a separate sanction earlier this year, where the LFF was fined another $50,000 after logistical issues disrupted a scheduled match against the Nigerian Super Eagles. The Nigerian team was stranded at Al-Abraq International Airport for over 20 hours, ultimately abandoning the game.
The back-to-back penalties highlight ongoing concerns regarding match organization and crowd control in Libyan football, with CAF signaling a strong stance on ensuring discipline and safety across the continent’s competitions.
