Olusegun Ariyo
President Bola Tinubu has said he expects the Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, to conduct a thorough investigation and recommend appropriate action against Libya.
While welcoming the national team back home to Nigeria, Tinubu said the Libyan authorities wilfully violated the CAF’s statutes and regulations.
Tinubu reacted through a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, a few hours after the team arrived home through Kano Airport.
Onanuga said President 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.
He confirmed that 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.
“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,” Onanuga noted in the statement.
