Date Set for CAF’s Verdict After Super Eagles’ Hostage Ordeal in Libya: Reports

Date Set for CAF’s Verdict After Super Eagles’ Hostage Ordeal in Libya: Reports

  • The Super Eagles of Nigeria were held hostage for about 16 hours at Al Abaq International Airport
  • The Nigerian Football Federation made an official complaint to the Confederation of African Football
  • A report in the Nigerian media has suggested when CAF’s ruling on the incident could be expected

The verdict of the Confederation of African Football on the Super Eagles' hostage ordeal in Libya could be expected soon, according to a report in the Nigerian media.

Libyan authorities held the Super Eagles hostage for about 16 hours after dangerously rerouting their plane, which was due to land in Benghazi to Al Abaq International Airport.

Super Eagles players and staff at Al Abaq International Airport.
Super Eagles players and staff at Al Abaq International Airport in Libya. Photo from @official_micolo.
Source: Twitter

The team, led by captain William Troost-Ekong, abandoned the match and flew back to Nigeria almost 24 hours later, despite pressure from African football authorities to go ahead.

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Date set for CAF's verdict

The Nigerian Football Federation lodged an official complaint with CAF detailing the foul play by the Libyans. The report was acknowledged, and the match was delisted.

CAF referred the matter to its ethics and disciplinary board and made no further comments, pending the time the committee will conclude its investigation.

According to Score Nigeria, a verdict on the incident is expected next Tuesday, October 22, 2024, when CAF holds its meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The publication adds that hearing a verdict depends on the committee's work, who are expected to give feedback to the governing body.

Possible sanctions Libya could face

Legit.ng in another report detailed the possible sanctions the Libyan team could face following their airport hostage ordeal against the Super Eagles.

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Super Eagles players spotted celebrating in Abuja after surviving Libya airport saga: video

The Mediterranean Knights' FA left the Nigerian team unattended at the Al Abraq airport for about 20 hours.

Article 31 of CAF’s rulebook outlines the reception requirements expected of a host in a qualification fixture, which Libya clearly violated.

Libyan journalist slams Nigeria

Legit.ng also reported that a Libyan journalist slammed Nigeria for walking out of the proposed AFCON 2025 qualifier match against the Mediterranean Knights.

He claimed the Libyan people were taken back by the Super Eagles' decision to return home after the incident was sorted, nearly 24 hours after it all began.

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Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Elijah Odetokun avatar

Elijah Odetokun (Sports Editor) Elijah Odetokun is a Nigerian sports editor at Legit NG. He has four years of working experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria (August 2020 - September 2020), OmaSports (December 2020 - June 2021), El Futbolero (July 2021; September 2021- November 2021), and Sports Brief (November 2022 - July 2024). He is a press conference and interview specialist and has attended trainings held by Reuters, AIPS, and FIJ. He holds a Bachelor of Agriculture (2021) from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Reach me via elijah.odetokun@sportsbrief.com