The reverberations of the recent assault on the referee team during the match between Al-Swehly and Abusleem in the Libyan Premier League, “Our League,” continue to resonate.
The Competitions Committee of the Libyan Football Federation has recently issued sanctions against Al-Swehly Club due to the incidents in the match where the refereeing team was physically assaulted after the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
The imposed penalties include a financial fine of ten thousand dinars, a one-year ban on Al-Swehly playing in their home stadium, the relocation of all Al-Swehly matches outside their territory, and a prohibition on spectators.
In response to this unfortunate event, the Football Federation itself released an extensive statement condemning the regrettable physical assault on referee Hussein Al-Ajani and his assistant team.
The assault occurred after the Al-Swehly and Abusleem match, part of the postponed matches in the ongoing season of the Premier League, held at Al-Swehly’s stadium.
The attack resulted in serious injuries to the match referee, tarnishing the reputation of the Libyan refereeing system.
The Federation stated in its press release, “The Libyan Football Federation expresses its condemnation and disapproval of the unfortunate physical assault on referee Hussein Al-Ajani and his assistant team, who officiated the Al-Swehly and Abusleem match.
The attack occurred within Al-Swehly’s stadium after the match, resulting in serious injuries to the match referee.
This incident represents a significant blow to the reputation of the Libyan refereeing system.
The Federation will strongly confront and impose deterrent penalties on anyone who assaults referees, whether verbally, physically, or otherwise.
The Federation stands beside its referees, supporting them to combat and deter such disgraceful acts, preserving the reputation and authority of Libyan refereeing and the refereeing system within the Libyan Football Federation.”
The statement continued, “Feeling the responsibility placed upon us, we express our deep regret and complete rejection of such events that deviate from the norm and the spirit of sportsmanship.
These incidents negatively impact the Libyan football family, particularly and the sports community in general.
Faced with these unsportsmanlike situations, unrelated to the values football represents, the Libyan Football Federation calls on all its working committees and regional federations to apply the regulations and rules strictly.
The Federation emphasizes that respecting referees and dealing with them appropriately should not only be enforced through laws and penalties but, above all, it returns to ethics and proper conduct that players, coaches, medical staff, administrators, and sports fans, as well as sports clubs and their officials, should embody to play a significant role in organizing this matter.”
Continuing, the statement outlined the following measures:
1. Assigning a representative from the regional union hosting the match to coordinate with the security officer responsible for securing the match, ensuring the safety of the refereeing team from the moment they enter the stadium.
2. Strengthening security measures during official matches inside stadiums, especially those affiliated with clubs, and assigning security personnel to accompany the refereeing teams from the administrative borders of the city where the match is located until they leave the city.
3. Working to amend the penalty regulations to ensure the strictness and severity of penalties in cases of assaulting refereeing teams.
4. Reviewing and appointing match supervisors for the Premier League who should be experienced, competent, impartial, and courageous referees to assist referees in managing matches.
5. Reassessing the adoption of some stadiums lacking protection and necessary security requirements.
6. Refraining from issuing decisions of general or specific amnesty for any penalties against individuals and clubs in cases of assaulting refereeing teams.
The Federation concluded the lengthy statement by affirming that it would not tolerate, under any circumstances, those responsible for assaults on referees.
It vowed to close stadiums where such assaults are repeated, urging relevant security authorities to investigate the criminal facts committed in this match and refer the perpetrators to the public prosecutor.
The Federation called on everyone to adhere to the sportsmanship spirit, which the sports community is accustomed to and which should be embraced by all, rejecting such negative actions that cast shadows over the sports system.
The statement was signed by the President of the Libyan Football Federation, Abdulhakim Ibrahim Al-Shalmani.
