The Libyan Football Federation, LFF, has addressed the prolonged delay of the Nigerian Super Eagles at Al Abraq International Airport, attributing the incident to routine air traffic and logistical issues rather than any deliberate act of foul play.
In a statement released Monday via X, the LFF clarified that the diversion of the Nigerian team’s chartered ValueJet aircraft to Al Abraq, instead of Benghazi as originally planned, was due to standard air traffic control protocols and security measures.
“These are standard procedures at airports worldwide, and delays or rerouting, though unfortunate, are not uncommon,” the federation added.
The LFF firmly rejected claims of sabotage, stating: “We reject any insinuation of foul play. This was a routine logistical issue. Similar challenges were faced by our own national team upon arriving in Nigeria for an earlier Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
“Despite the difficulties we encountered, we did not make public accusations nor question the integrity of the Nigerian authorities ”.
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The federation emphasized its longstanding respect for Nigeria and reiterated that Libya is committed to offering hospitality and support to all visiting teams, including the Super Eagles.
“Hosting these events is a great honour for us, and we strive to ensure that all teams feel safe and respected as our guests.
“Our doors are open to our Nigerian brothers and all African teams, and we continue to promote the spirit of unity, sportsmanship, and friendship in the world of football,” the federation said.
The LFF concluded by calling for a resolution through mutual understanding, highlighting football’s unifying role.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has filed a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football and efforts are being made to bring the Super Eagles back to Nigeria.
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