The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has constituted a disciplinary panel led by Senegal’s Ousmane Kane, to decide on the circumstances that led to the cancellation of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between hosts, Libya and Nigeria.
 
Libya was supposed to host Nigeria in the second leg of the qualifier in Benina, near Benghazi, yesterday, but the game could not be held following Nigeria’s withdrawal citing poor, or non-existent reception by the hosts, which endangered the lives of the players and their officials.
 
The Nigerian delegation alleged that they were detained in a Libyan airport for close to 16 hours from Sunday to Monday, with nobody from the Libyan government, or its football federation on hand to receive them.
 
They added that they were refused entry into the country even when they elected to make their logistic arrangements after waiting endlessly for the Libyans to do so.
 
Also on the disciplinary committee are Jane Njeri Onyango of Kenya, who is the vice president; South Africa’s Norman Arendse, Mohamed Mostafa El-Mashta of Egypt, Djonfoune Golbassia Felix (Chad), Patrick Shale (Lesotho), Douma Ibrahim Issaka (Niger), Ruth Kisaakye (Uganda) and Drucil Taylor of Sierra Leone.
 
CAF had on Monday vowed to punish any party found culpable for the “unacceptable” treatment of the Nigerian delegation at the qualifier. In its statement, CAF said: “CAF views the disturbing and unacceptable experiences of the Nigerian National Football Team (Super Eagles) at an airport in Libya in a severe light.
 
“The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it had been informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (Super Eagles) and their technical team were stranded in disturbing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land by the Libyan authorities.”

“The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.”
 
The CAF panel is expected to unravel the circumstances leading to the cancellation of the game, with particular reference to its statutes and regulations, particularly those dealing with match organisation, player welfare, and the principles governing the integrity of the competition.

As enunciated by experts, the African football governing body will try to see if Libya, as the host nation, fulfilled its fundamental responsibility of ensuring the safety, logistics, and appropriate accommodations for the visiting team, Nigeria.

These responsibilities include providing suitable transportation, lodging, and match facilities, as well as, ensuring the safety and security of the visiting team, Nigeria.
 
Libya would be adjudged to have violated CAF rules if it is found wanting in meeting these obligations. The panel will also investigate Nigeria’s decision to boycott the match with the view of deciding whether the alleged logistical failures severely impaired their players’ ability to perform or presented genuine safety concerns.
 
The body also has the responsibility of determining whether the alleged prolonged stay at the Libyans airport without adequate provisions for rest and nourishment caused or was capable of causing physical and mental states that inhibit the players’ performance.
    
In constituting the disciplinary panel, CAF, yesterday, said: “Appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the confederation’s statutes and regulations.”

Meanwhile, despite all that transpired between Sunday and Monday, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) continued with its preparations for the game, saying it would take all the necessary legal measures to protect its team’s interests.

Sharing several images on social media of their players’ training session, the LFF wrote: “Some may be used to putting up obstacles before the match, but here in the heart of Benghazi, specifically on the grounds of the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, there is no room for excuses after the starting whistle.”

The statement added: “The Libyan Football Federation condemns the measures taken by the Nigerian Football Federation by refusing to play the Libya-Nigeria match in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.” It also said that it will take all legal measures to preserve the interests of the Libyan national football team.

The LFF said it deplored the action taken by the NFF and would take legal measures to protect the interests of the national team.

“The Libyan Football Federation apologises to Libyan football fans and the parties concerned with the arrangements of the match due to the state of confusion caused by the Nigerian Football Federation, which led to the failure to play the match on time.”

The LFF had earlier complained about the treatment of their players and officials on arrival in Nigeria for the first leg of the qualifier in Uyo last week, alleging that their flight was forced to land hours away from the match venue and the players endured long travel delays.

Nigeria won that match 1-0 and are in pole position to qualify for the Cup of Nations finals that will be staged in Morocco late next year. The top two teams in each qualification pool advance to the finals.