Gaddafi quits Libya post

Amr Shaheen
BBC Sport, North Africa

Gaddafi is yet to make an appearance for Perugia this season

Al Saadi Gaddafi has resigned as president of the Libyan Football Federation (LFF).

Gaddafi's decision, which follows a 4-1 loss to Egypt in last Sunday's World Cup qualifier in Cairo, has led to the suspension of the Libyan league championship.

However, Khaled El Khoweldy, an LFF spokesman, said Gaddafi's resignation has not been accepted yet.

"Al Saadi's role in bringing Libya back to international football is notable.

"We are on the verge of reaching the African Cup of Nations for the first since 1982."

El Khoweldy said Gaddafi's decision to resign had nothing to do with last Sunday's match, where travelling Libyan fans ripped up chairs and hurled them at Egyptian policemen.

"He decided to quit due to lack of financial support for the federation," El Khoweldy claimed.

"He made his decision even before the match against Egypt."

The 31-year-old Gaddafi owns Tripoli clubside Al Ittihad, has a stake in Italian giants Juventus - through the Libyan Arab Foreign Investment Company - and occasionally plays for the national team.

Gaddafi joined the North African side for a two-match tour of Australia last month but was not selected by manager Mohamed El Khemisy.

The son of Libya's leader is registered as a player with Italian Serie A side Perugia but is yet to make an appearance this season.