The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has rejected claims made by Faisal Al-Badri, captain of the Libyan national football team, regarding mistreatment upon their arrival in Nigeria.
The NFF has clarified that it was the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) that caused confusion for the team, the Mediterranean Knights.
Mr. Emmanuel Ayanbunmi, NFF’s Assistant Director (Protocol), explained that the LFF only informed them about the team’s arrival in Port Harcourt, instead of Uyo, just three hours before landing on Tuesday. “I spoke to the General Secretary of LFF at length on Monday, 7th October, and he never hinted that his team would be arriving on Tuesday,” Ayanbunmi said. “He only mentioned that he would get back to me, but he never did.”
According to Ayanbunmi, plans had been made to receive the team in Uyo, but there was a sudden change of information. “On Monday evening, someone from the LFF informed me the team would arrive by noon on Tuesday. We made all arrangements to welcome them in Uyo. However, only an hour after the team was airborne, we were told they would land in Port Harcourt. This disrupted many things.”
He further explained that after landing in Port Harcourt, they tried to get approval for the team to fly to Uyo, but the Libyan delegation chose to travel by road instead, to avoid extra costs.
Ayanbunmi also stated that the Libyan team opted for their own transportation, ignoring the arrangements made by the NFF. “If they traveled in buses without air-conditioning, that was their choice. We provided security, with men and vehicles escorting their buses. We stand by our efforts and are unbothered by their complaints.”
