Libya Threatens Legal Action Over Nigeria’s Withdrawal From AFCON Qualifier

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The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has voiced its strong disapproval of Nigeria’s decision to withdraw from their second-leg African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Benghazi, threatening to pursue legal measures. In a statement shared by The Libya Observer, the LFF expressed frustration, stating that they would take all necessary actions to defend the interests of their national team.

The LFF explained that, despite enduring harsh treatment in Nigeria during the first-leg match, they still chose to play, accusing the Nigerian team of being uncooperative. According to the statement, the conditions they faced in Nigeria were far worse than those experienced by the Nigerian side in Libya.

Nigeria’s decision to withdraw from the match came after the Super Eagles were stranded at Al Abraq Airport for over 13 hours without essential supplies like food, water, or proper rest. Images of the team sleeping on benches at the airport spread widely, sparking outrage. Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong condemned the treatment, calling it “disgraceful” and accusing Libyan authorities of deliberately causing chaos by revoking the team’s landing permit.

Due to safety concerns, Nigeria decided to pull out of the scheduled match, which was originally set for Tuesday, October 15.

In response, the LFF issued a statement saying, “The Libyan Football Federation condemns the Nigerian Football Federation’s refusal to play the Libya-Nigeria match in the AFCON qualifiers and will take all necessary legal measures to protect the interests of the Libyan team.”

The LFF also attached evidence of the inhumane treatment they endured in Nigeria, insisting that their experience did not stop them from cooperating with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and playing the first leg. They also accused the Nigerian Federation of failing to cooperate in both the first and second leg arrangements.

Additionally, the LFF apologized to Libyan fans, expressing regret over the confusion caused by the withdrawal and attributing it to the Nigerian Football Federation’s actions. The statement concluded with an apology to all parties affected by the match’s delay, reaffirming their intent to pursue legal remedies to resolve the issue.

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