The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has warned that any country violating CAF statutes on the treatment of visiting teams will be severely punished in accordance with the laws of the confederation.

The body’s president, Patrice Motsepe, who said he had received numerous reports of how some countries were employing unacceptable methods to gain an advantage over visiting teams, warned that CAF would no longer tolerate such behavior.

Speaking in Ethiopia, where the 46th CAF Ordinary Assembly is being held, he said Nigeria’s experience in Libya ahead of last week’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was being investigated by an appropriate body, which would sanction any party found guilty of bringing football into disrepute.

Nigeria has petitioned CAF over the inhumane treatment meted out by Libyan authorities, who detained the country’s delegation at the October 15 meeting for more than 16 hours without food, water and means of communication.

CAF has referred the matter to its disciplinary committee, which meets today in Cairo, Egypt.

Referring to this case, Motsepe stressed CAF’s commitment to accountability in such cases, although he did not dwell on the case of Libya and Nigeria.

He said: “I will not comment on this as a proper investigation is under way (ongoing), but I want to emphasize the principle that we will not tolerate. Because it’s something that’s been going on for a while. Forget the Nigeria-Libya situation because it has been properly investigated and appropriate action will be taken.

“I have heard too many stories of a football club or national team traveling to a country. You spend hours at the airport and are asked about documents that are not intended to be accessed. And apparently during COVID they will look at the top 10 players on your team and say those players have COVID. This is a lack of sporting behavior and we have not taken effective measures.

The CAF disciplinary commission is expected to deliver its verdict this week on the botched match between Libya and Nigeria.

Earlier, while the Super Eagles were still detained in Libya, CAF said in a statement that “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 body had also said in a separate statement during the saga: “The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after being informed that the Nigerian national football team (Super Eagles ) and their The technical team found itself stranded in worrying conditions for several hours in an airport where the Libyan authorities allegedly asked them to land.

“The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who have violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.”