Libya’s treatment of visiting African football teams has again been scrutinised after South Sudan’s national squad, the Bright Stars, was stranded for three hours at Benina International Airport in Benghazi.
The team’s ordeal follows a series of similar incidents involving other African teams, raising serious concerns about Libya’s hosting of international matches.
Upon arrival, Libyan migration authorities confiscated the players’ passports, citing the absence of a welcoming representative from the Sudanese Football Association.
This latest incident adds to Libya’s growing reputation for mistreating visiting teams. In October 2024, Nigeria’s Super Eagles faced severe delays at Al Abraq International Airport after their flight was unexpectedly diverted from Benghazi.
Frustrated by the poor treatment, Nigeria boycotted their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya. In response, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded Nigeria a 3-0victory and fined the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) $50,000 for violating competition regulations.
Recently, CAF imposed further sanctions on Libya following incidents of misconduct during and after the country’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Benin Republic on November 18 in Tripoli. The governing body fined the LFF an additional $50,000 and ordered Libya to play its next two home matches behind closed doors.
The disciplinary measures were a result of violent actions by Libyan fans and officials. Benin’s head coach, Gernot Rohr, recounted how Libyan police assaulted his players with batons after securing a goalless draw that guaranteed their AFCON qualification. Video evidence circulated online showed Beninese players treating injuries in their dressing room, further validating their claims.
However, following the sanctions by the CAF, Nigerians living in Libya reportedly became targets of mass arrests following a ruling by the Confederation of African Football(CAF) that favoured the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). The decision was linked to the recent detention of the Super Eagles at Al-Abraq Airport in eastern Libya, which delayed their participation in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
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