FIFA has ruled in favor of former Libya national team head coach Aliou Cissé, ordering the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) to pay the Senegalese coach €820,000 in outstanding contractual payments following a dispute over unpaid wages.
The decision concludes a legal case that began after Cissé filed a complaint with FIFA, arguing that the federation failed to meet its financial obligations despite the terms of his contract. FIFA determined that the former Libyan coach was entitled to receive the unpaid amount after ending his contract because the federation failed to pay his salary.
Cissé terminated his contract on April 8, 2026, after months of unpaid wages. His agreement with the Libyan Football Federation had originally been scheduled to run until 2027, but he exercised his right to terminate the contract following what he considered a serious breach of its financial terms.
The 50-year-old coach was appointed head coach of Libya’s national team in March 2025, following his successful tenure with Senegal, whom he guided to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in 2022.
During his time in charge, Cissé managed Libya in 10 international matches, recording three wins, five draws, and two defeats. Despite those results, Libya failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending its campaign before the final qualifying stage.
Several media reports linked Cissé’s departure to delays in salary payments, which reportedly extended for approximately eight months, as well as broader administrative and organizational challenges affecting Libyan football. Reports also pointed to instability within the football federation and the limited competitiveness of the domestic league as factors that complicated his tenure.
