…Tinubu urges CAF to sanction Libya
… We’re Probing The Incident -CAF
.. describes it as “unacceptable”
…Libyan Football Federation president resigns
The Super Eagles have arrived in Nigeria after their ordeal in Libyan for a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
Players and officials were stranded for about 13 hours at a Libyan airport ahead of the game which was supposed to take place on Tuesday. Photos of the team sleeping on benches went viral early Monday, prompting condemnation.
But hours later, the team landed in Kano (for a brief stop and headed to Abuja) after Libyan authorities cleared their flight to take off.
The Nigerian players and officials had landed in the North African country ahead of the match. But after their flight was rerouted from Benghazi where the game was meant to hold.
They were denied access to food and other supplies with some members of the team taking to social media to lament about the incident.
That prompted condemnation across the globe with Nigerian authorities describing the incident as “unfortunate”. The Minister of Sports Development John Enoh likened it to “almost hostage” and said the Super Eagles were no longer taking part in the game.
“To say the least, they face an almost ‘hostage’ situation. These are sportsmen set to compete in an AFCON qualifying match come Tuesday!” he said.
“For now, our primary concern is the safety of the members of our national team. With the events of the past hours, their safety is not guaranteed and the team insists they’re unable to go ahead with the match not just because of the trauma and consequent psychological torture but also because of fear for their safety.”
Inconsistent With Our Values’
The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) denied accusations of wrong-doings and claim its team faced a similar situation when they played the Super Eagles in the first leg of the encounter last week.
“There are no grounds to accuse the Libyan security teams or the Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating this incident. Such actions are inconsistent with our values and principles,” the LFF said and linked the delay to logistical issues and other challenges.
‘Action Will Be Taken’
But the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) had said it was going to probe the “disturbing conditions” after reaching out to the Nigerian and Libyan authorities.
“The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations,” CAF sai
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has said he expects the Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, to conduct a thorough investigation and recommend appropriate action against Libya.
While welcoming the national team back home to Nigeria, Tinubu said the Libyan authorities wilfully violated the CAF’s statutes and regulations.
Tinubu reacted through a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, a few hours after the team arrived home through Kano Airport.
Onanuga said President Tinubu, deeply moved by the inhuman treatment endured by the Super Eagles of Nigeria at a Libyan airport, warmly welcomes their safe return to Nigeria.
He confirmed that the harrowing experience of the national football team at the hands of their hosts and the Libyan authorities prompted the Nigerian Football Federation to withdraw the Super Eagles from the scheduled match on Tuesday.
“The President commends the proactive coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in addressing the unfortunate episode and ensuring the safe return of our players.
“President Tinubu applauds the players for keeping their spirit alive despite the excruciating ordeal in Libya.
“The Nigerian leader recognises football’s unifying power in bringing nations and people together and views the treatment of our citizens as unsportsmanlike and inhumane, a stark contrast to the spirit of the game he deeply appreciates.
“He fervently calls on all lovers of the round-leather game and administrators to unite and work collaboratively to prevent and overcome such incidents in the future,” Onanuga noted in the statement.
Libyan Football Federation president resigns amid Super Eagles row
Abdelhakim Al-Shalmani, President of the Libyan Football Federation, has tendered his resignation.
According to The Libya Observer, Al-Shalmani’s resignation was announced during a regular meeting of the Federation’s General Assembly on Sunday.
“I do not want to be part of the failure in Libyan sports,” Al-Shalmani stated.
While expressing gratitude to his colleagues, he forgave those in the sports sector.
“I thank all members of the General Assembly, and I forgive everyone from all segments of the sports sector,” he added.
The resignation comes at a time when the Super Eagles of Nigeria are accusing the Libyan football authority of “inhumane treatment” upon arrival in the country ahead of the second leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
The team which was stranded at Al Abraq International Airport for over 16 hours without assistance from the Libyan Football Federation, is currently heading back to the West African country.
Meanwhile, the Confederation OF African Football (CAF) has vowed to investigate the incident and take appropriate action.
In a statement, it said, “CAF has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it had been informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (‘’Super Eagles’’) and their technical team were stranded in disturbing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land by the Libyan authorities.
“The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.”
