FIFA Gives Libya Green Light To Play Home Matches, Will Host World Cup Qualifiers

FIFA "has lifted a ban" on Libya hosting football matches despite the North African country "still facing precarious security issues after the '11 war that ousted Muammar Gaddafi," according to Ghaith Shennib of REUTERS. In a statement, FIFA said, "FIFA has decided to re-authorize matches in Libya, thus the two (World Cup) qualifiers in June will be played in Tripoli and in Benghazi. We have aligned ourselves with CAF's decision." The Confederation of African Football said on March 28 that it was authorizing matches under its "jurisdiction to be played in the country." Libyan club Al Nasr was "allowed to host" the April 5 African Confederation Cup tie against Morocco's Royal Armed Forces at home in Benghazi in the first competitive int'l match in the country in two years. This "followed an inspection by a three-man CAF delegation in March." (REUTERS, 4/18).