AFCON: Our govt’s decision to divert Super Eagles’ flight must be respected – Libyan Football Federation tells CAF

The Libyan Football Federation has told everyone who cares to listen that the decision of the country to change the Super Eagles’ landing plan must be respected.

They made the comment after the LFF was asked by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to submit documents related to the cancellation of the AFCON qualifying Group D match against Nigeria.

The match was called off after the Nigerian team refused to play following an ordeal in which their plane was diverted to Labraq Airport, where they were held for 18 hours without access to food or water.

According to Nasser Al-Suwaie, the Secretary-General of the Libyan Football Federation, CAF has given both the Libyan and Nigerian football associations until the 20th of this month to submit the required documents concerning the incident.

Al-Suwaie revealed that the Libya Football Federation has hired a specialized lawyer to gather evidence for the case stating that the Libyan Federation’s position remains strong.

He also clarified that the Libyan government not the Libyan Federation was responsible for changing the plane’s landing to Al-Abraq Airport and that the country’s sovereignty must be respected.

The Nigerian Super Eagles returned to Nigeria on Monday with social media awash with disturbing reports of their experience.

Team manager Patrick Pascal recounted how the team had to take turns sleeping on the bare floor at the airport.

He also alleged that Libyan officials had deliberately made the toilets unusable in anticipation of the team’s arrival.