CAF Punishes Libya After Chaotic Scenes in Tripoli

A month after the controversial events in Tripoli, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has delivered its verdict. Libya has been sanctioned for the hostile and violent atmosphere that marred their November 18 match against Benin at the June 11 Stadium.

Shocking animosity dominated the match, which finished in a 0-0 draw and guaranteed Libya's expulsion from the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN). Benin's players and staff were intimidated from the start, with projectiles thrown at their bench and the national anthem mocked.

Steve Mounié, captain of the Benin team, described the atmosphere as a “war zone,” adding: “This team, this country, and its supporters did not respect us. They turned this match into a battlefield.”

The situation escalated after the final whistle. Benin’s players and staff were forced to stay in the locker room for over an hour to avoid confrontations with enraged Libyan fans. Despite this precaution, some individuals were attacked.

Gernot Rohr, the coach of Benin, disclosed that a police officer's baton hit his arm, a moment that was caught on camera. Security guards and Tunisian employees were also attacked, and goalkeeping coach Enrico Pionetti suffered a head injury.

Despite the chaos, Mounié highlighted the team’s resilience: “Our qualification for CAN is a clear response to all of this.”

CAF’s Disciplinary Jury has condemned the Libyan Football Federation for breaching Articles 82 and 151 of its Disciplinary Code. Libya has been ordered to play its next two official matches behind closed doors and pay a $50,000 fine.

While the sanctions send a strong message against such behavior, questions remain about whether they are sufficient to deter future incidents. For Benin, the focus now shifts to the CAN tournament, but the scars of Tripoli’s events linger as a reminder of the need for better protections in African football.