Benin’s head coach, Gernot Rohr, has called for sanctions against Libya following a violent post-match incident during last month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier in Tripoli.
Rohr and his team were subjected to what he described as a “traumatic” experience, involving confrontations with fans and security officers.
The 71-year-old German coach required medical treatment on the team bus after being struck by a baton, while other support staff members reportedly faced hostile confrontations. The Benin squad was also detained in their dressing room after the final whistle, prolonging their ordeal.
Libya, needing a win to keep their Afcon qualification hopes alive, played to a 0-0 draw. The result secured Benin’s second-place finish in Group D behind Nigeria, ensuring their qualification for the finals in Morocco.
Reflecting on the incident, Rohr, a seasoned coach with experience leading five African national teams, called it the worst experience of his career on the continent.
“What happened in Libya was really crazy,” Rohr told reporters. “I have never experienced anything like this after a match. The reaction from the public and the police was unacceptable. We were locked in the dressing room and left traumatised.
“It is dangerous and unsafe for international matches to be played in a country with political instability and insufficient security measures. This could have easily led to a tragic outcome.”
Rohr’s comments have reignited debates about the suitability of hosting international fixtures in politically unstable regions, with many calling for stricter safety protocols and potential sanctions against Libya.
