The Libyan Football Federation has denied allegations that they were responsible for diverting the Super Eagles’ aircraft from Benghazi to Al Abraq, causing logistical issues for the Nigerian national team.
The Super Eagles plane was unexpectedly diverted to Al Abraq airport, which is over two hours away from their original destination, where they have now spent the last 14 hours.
The Nigerian Football Federation has responded by announcing the withdrawal of the Super Eagles from the African Cup of Nations qualifiers scheduled for tomorrow in Benina.
However, the Libyan football authorities stated that their own national team had faced similar challenges during a recent trip to Nigeria for the first leg of the AFCON qualifiers. Despite the difficulties, they did not accuse the Nigerian authorities of foul play and chose to handle the situation discreetly.
In an official statement on Monday afternoon, the LFF clarified that the diversion of the Nigerian national team’s flight was due to routine air traffic control protocols and logistical challenges that commonly occur during international air travel.
“While we regret any inconvenience caused to our Nigerian counterparts, it is essential to understand that such incidents are not uncommon,” the statement said.
“These are standard procedures at airports worldwide, and delays or rerouting, though unfortunate, are not uncommon. We have the utmost respect for our Nigerian counterparts and want to reassure them that the diversion of their flight was not intentional.
“There are no grounds to accuse the Libyan security teams or the Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating this incident. Such actions are inconsistent with our values and principles. We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation.
“It is important to highlight that just last week, our own national team faced significant challenges upon our arrival in Nigeria for the third match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification.”
“Football, in its essence, unites nations, and we remain committed to upholding the spirit of fairness and mutual respect, both on and off the field,” the Libyan Football Federation said.
“In Libya, we prioritize treating all visiting teams, including our African brothers, with the respect and dignity they deserve,” the statement read.
Libya called for a resolution of the misunderstanding, urging both sides to move forward in the spirit of unity, sportsmanship and goodwill.
“We hope that this situation can be addressed with understanding and mutual respect. Our doors remain open to our Nigerian brothers and all African teams as we continue to promote the spirit of unity and friendship in football,” the statement read.
