The Libyan Football Federation’s Competitions Committee has postponed the Libya Cup Final between Ahli Tripoli and Ahli Benghazi after the total absence of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology prompted both clubs to refuse to play. The match, scheduled for Wednesday evening at Cairo International Stadium, was expected to showcase one of the country’s most anticipated football events of the year. Instead, it descended into confusion, tension and unprecedented scenes in the stadium corridors.
According to federation officials, VAR could not be deployed due to the lack of a full television broadcast. The system requires at least six cameras to operate, but only one was available. The unexpected shortfall led to immediate objection from both teams, who insisted that a cup final cannot proceed without video review technology, especially given the stakes and the need for officiating transparency.
Referee Mahmoud Naji confirmed that the absence of a multi-camera setup made VAR impossible to activate. He explained that the refereeing team alerted match officials and federation representatives before kick-off, urging them to take an appropriate decision. With no viable technical solution, the committee postponed the match for 24 hours, hoping to secure the required equipment in time.
The crisis escalated further in the stadium tunnel, where tensions between the two squads erupted into heated altercations. Eyewitnesses reported pushing and verbal exchanges as players headed towards the dressing rooms, reflecting the increasing frustration surrounding the event.
The Libyan Football Federation is now under pressure to resolve the situation swiftly, with fans calling for clear communication and guarantees that VAR will be fully operational before the rescheduled final. The incident has reignited debates about organisational readiness, logistical planning and the broader challenges facing Libyan football in hosting major fixtures abroad.
