The Libyan Football Federation has refuted claims made by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) that the Super Eagles and their officials were held hostage after their arrival in Libya. This follows reports that the Nigerian team was stranded at Al Abraq Airport for 15 hours due to the unexpected diversion of their flight.
The Super Eagles, traveling via a chartered ValueJet aircraft on October 13, were originally headed for Benghazi for their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. However, their flight was diverted just an hour before landing, leading them to Al Abraq Airport, which is over two hours away from their intended destination. The team remained unattended for several hours, prompting Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong to raise concerns.
In response to the situation, the Libyan Football Federation issued a statement clarifying that the diversion was not intentional but rather a result of standard air traffic control procedures. They emphasized that such incidents can happen due to security checks or logistical challenges, which are common in international travel.
The statement also pointed out that the Libyan national team faced similar challenges upon their arrival in Nigeria for the first leg of the AFCON qualifiers but chose not to make public accusations or question the integrity of Nigerian authorities.
"We regret any inconvenience caused but wish to clarify that the diversion of the Nigerian team’s flight was not intentional," the Libyan Football Federation said. "These are routine procedures in international air travel, and delays or rerouting, though unfortunate, are not uncommon."
The federation firmly rejected any suggestions of foul play or sabotage, reaffirming that Libyan security teams and the football federation had no part in orchestrating the incident. They highlighted their commitment to hosting teams with respect and hospitality, noting that Libya has always prioritized the safety and dignity of visiting teams.
"Football unites nations, and we remain committed to the values of fairness, respect, and unity both on and off the field. We hope that this misunderstanding can be resolved amicably," the statement concluded, extending an open hand to their Nigerian counterparts and other African teams.
The Libyan Football Federation expressed hope that the issue could be resolved with mutual understanding and a spirit of goodwill, maintaining that football should continue to foster unity and sportsmanship across nations.
No comments:
Post a Comment