The President of the Libyan Football Federation, Abdul Mawla Al-Maghribi, has announced the arrival of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) equipment at three major venues: Tripoli International Stadium, Misrata Stadium, and the Military Union Stadium. Al-Maghribi characterized this development as a significant step toward modernizing the domestic officiating system and enhancing the integrity of local competitions. However, he clarified that the official implementation of VAR remains contingent upon receiving final approval from FIFA and the completion of specialized training programs for refereeing crews to ensure the technology is utilized according to international standards.
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Addressing broader challenges, Al-Maghribi pointed out severe financial constraints currently hindering the sports sector. He noted that the Libya Sports Channel is facing budgetary deficits that impact its ability to cover athletic events. Similarly, he stated that the Football Federation itself is grappling with funding difficulties that impede the execution of its strategic development plans. These remarks, shared via the official Facebook account of the Libyan Olympic Club, reflect the administrative and logistical hurdles facing the country’s sports infrastructure despite recent technological advancements.
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Furthermore, the Federation President addressed the widespread speculation regarding international referee Muataz Al-Shalmani. He categorically denied rumors circulating on social media suggesting that Al-Shalmani’s absence from the Africa Cup of Nations was due to non-technical reasons. Al-Maghribi confirmed that the referee’s withdrawal from the continental tournament was strictly due to injury and that no other claims were made. This clarification seeks to address public concerns about the status of Libyan international officials and to provide a transparent overview of the various technical and administrative files currently managed by the federation.