Former Senator Shehu Sani has urged the Federation of International Football Associations and the Confederation of African Football to impose penalties on Libya for the abuse of the Super Eagles football team.
After a flight diversion to a remote airstrip, the team was trapped in Libya for more than 13 hours without proper resources.
In response to the national team’s hardship in Libya, Sani encouraged FIFA and CAF to take action in a tweet on his X platform (previously Twitter) on Monday.
He tweeted, “Libya’s treatment of the @NGSuperEagles is unacceptable and condemnable. @FIFAcom and @CAF_Online must impose serious sanctions on them.”
The Super Eagles‘ flight, which left Nigeria on Sunday, was abruptly redirected to a remote airfield far from the match venue, resulting in an additional three-hour drive to their destination.
The situation deteriorated as the players, pilots, and other personnel were trapped at the Libyan airport for more than 13 hours, without access to necessities such as food, water, or a place to relax.
Earlier on Monday, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, denounced the players’ behaviour, calling it inappropriate and appalling.
She emphasised the dangers of road travel in Libya and encouraged the appropriate authorities to take urgent measures to protect the safety and well-being of the Nigerian delegation.
Dabiri-Erewa pointed out that the Libyan government had not made necessary plans to host the team.
“The team was delayed at the airport for more than 13 hours without any tangible reason, and efforts by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to make alternative provisions were frustrated,” she said.
