NFF Disputes Libya’s Claims of Poor Treatment

The Nigeria Football Federation NFF has refuted claims from Libyan team captain Faisal Al Badri alleging poor treatment upon their arrival in Nigeria. The NFF clarified that the confusion resulted from a lack of communication from the Libyan Football Federation LFF regarding the team’s arrival details.

NFF’s assistant director of protocol, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi, explained that the LFF initially informed the NFF of the team’s arrival in Uyo. Only three hours before landing did they notify the NFF of their change to Port Harcourt. Ayanbunmi shared that on Monday, the LFF general secretary did not mention any plans for a Tuesday arrival. It was only after the team was already airborne that we learned they’d be landing in Port Harcourt. Despite the last minute changes, the NFF arranged for federal approval to transfer the Libyan team from Port Harcourt to Uyo, which the LFF declined to accept due to cost concerns.

Instead, the Libyan team opted to travel by road, hiring buses independently, which reportedly lacked air conditioning. Ayanbunmi remarked that the NFF provided necessary security and transportation arrangements, but the Libyan team chose to arrange their buses. Their complaints do not reflect any lapse on our part.

Editorial

The recent dispute between the Nigerian and Libyan football federations underscores the importance of clear communication in organizing international events. When teams visit foreign countries, the hosting federation must provide appropriate accommodations, but this depends on timely and accurate information from the visiting team. In this case, the miscommunication around the Libyan team’s arrival in Nigeria caused unnecessary friction.

For Nigeria, these complications highlight the need for flexibility in sports diplomacy. Hosting international teams requires logistical expertise and cooperation from both sides, especially in high stakes tournaments. Although the NFF responded admirably under the circumstances, the situation could serve as a valuable reminder for all parties about the importance of early coordination.

Our football culture, admired for its vibrancy and passion, also has the responsibility to be a welcoming host. By maintaining open lines of communication and reinforcing support systems, Nigeria can continue to uphold its reputation on the international stage while creating positive experiences for visiting teams.

Did You Know?

1. Nigeria’s NFF frequently coordinates with federal authorities to arrange special travel and immigration permissions for visiting teams.
2. The Mediterranean Knights, Libya’s national team, have a history of reaching out to the local diaspora for support during international matches.
3. Nigeria’s Uyo stadium, a popular venue for national matches, is designed to host international tournaments and attract high attendance.
4. Libyan football has seen steady growth since the early 2000s, often relying on foreign based players in international tournaments.
5. Diplomatic arrangements in sports, like this one, often involve protocol officers from both federations to ensure smooth team transitions between countries.