Former Senator Shehu Sani has called on the Federation of International Football Associations and the Confederation of African Football to impose sanctions on Libya for the mistreatment of the Super Eagles football team.
The team was stranded in Libya for over 13 hours without adequate provisions following a flight diversion to a remote airport.
Reacting to the national team’s ordeal in Libya, Sani urged FIFA and CAF to take action in a post on his X platform (formerly 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, who departed Nigeria on Sunday, had their flight unexpectedly diverted to a remote airport far from the match venue, resulting in an additional three-hour road journey to their destination.
The situation worsened as the players, pilots, and other personnel were stranded at the Libyan airport for over 13 hours without access to necessities like food, water, or a place to rest.
Earlier on Monday, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, condemned the treatment of the players, stating that it was both unacceptable and deplorable.
She highlighted the dangers of road travel in Libya and urged the relevant authorities to take immediate action to ensure the safety and well-being of the Nigerian team.
Dabiri-Erewa pointed out that no adequate arrangements had been made by the Libyan authorities to accommodate 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.
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