President Bola Tinubu has called for a swift investigation by the Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) into the actions meted out to Super Eagles of Nigeria by Libyan authorities.
He made this known following the safe return of the Super Eagles to Nigeria after its cancellation of the AFCON qualifier for 2025 between Libya and Nigeria scheduled for Tuesday, 15th October 2024.
Tinubu commended the Super Eagles for their unwavering spirit and determination and also applauded the proactive actions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development while identifying football as a unifying sport.
In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy on Monday, he stated that the actions of Libya was a contrast to what the game of football is.
The statement titled ‘PRESIDENT TINUBU WELCOMES THE SAFE RETURN OF THE SUPER EAGLES AND DEMANDS SWIFT JUSTICE AFTER THEIR INHUMAN TREATMENT’ reads;
President Bola Tinubu, deeply moved by the inhuman treatment endured by the Super Eagles of Nigeria at a Libyan airport, warmly welcomes their safe return to Nigeria.
The harrowing experience of the national football team at the hands of their hosts and the Libyan authorities prompted the Nigerian Football Federation to withdraw the Super Eagles from the scheduled match on Tuesday.
President Tinubu expects the Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to conduct a thorough investigation and recommend appropriate action against those who wilfully violated the organisation’s Statutes and Regulations.
The President commends the proactive coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in addressing the unfortunate episode and ensuring the safe return of our players.
President Tinubu applauds the players for keeping their spirit alive despite the excruciating ordeal in Libya.
The Nigerian leader recognises football’s unifying power in bringing nations and people together and views the treatment of our citizens as unsportsmanlike and inhumane, a stark contrast to the spirit of the game he deeply appreciates.
He fervently calls on all lovers of the round-leather game and administrators to unite and work collaboratively to prevent and overcome such incidents in the future.”
Meanwhile, the Libyan Football Federation’s President, Abdelhakim Al-Shalmani has resigned. According to him, he said he doesn’t want to be part of the failure of Libyan sports on Sunday.
