Former Senator Shehu Sani has urged the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to impose sanctions on Libya due to the mistreatment of the Super Eagles football team.

The team was stranded in Libya for over 13 hours after their flight was diverted to a remote airport without adequate provisions.

In response to the Super Eagles’ ordeal, Sani took to his X platform (formerly Twitter) on Monday, stating, “Libya’s treatment of the @NGSuperEagles is unacceptable and condemnable. @FIFAcom and @CAF_Online must impose serious sanctions on them.”

The Super Eagles, who left Nigeria on Sunday, faced an unexpected diversion that required a three-hour road journey to reach their match venue. The situation deteriorated further as players, pilots, and other personnel were left without food, water, or a place to rest during their lengthy delay at the Libyan airport.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM, also condemned the treatment of the players, describing it as unacceptable and deplorable.

She stressed the dangers of road travel in Libya and called for immediate action from relevant authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of the Nigerian team.

Dabiri-Erewa noted, “The team was delayed at the airport for more than 13 hours without any tangible reason, and efforts by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to make alternative provisions were frustrated.”

Meanwhile, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has issued a statement addressing the concerns raised following the diversion of the Nigerian national football team’s flight ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier (AFCON) in Libya. The federation expressed its deep regret over the inconvenience caused to the Super Eagles while stressing that such incidents can occur due to routine air traffic control protocols and logistical challenges.

In a series of tweets, the LFF clarified that delays or rerouting are standard procedures at airports worldwide. “While we regret any inconvenience caused, it is essential to note that such incidents can occur due to routine air traffic control protocols, security checks, or logistical challenges that affect international air travel,” the federation stated.

The LFF also reassured the Nigerian team that the diversion of their flight was not intentional. “There are no grounds to accuse the Libyan security teams or the Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating this incident. Such actions are inconsistent with our values and principles,” they added.

In a bid to refute any claims of foul play or sabotage, the federation highlighted their commitment to fairness in the sport. “We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation,” the LFF stressed. They also referenced the challenges faced by the Libyan national team during their recent visit to Nigeria, noting that despite difficulties, they did not make public accusations against Nigerian authorities.

The LFF underscored their tradition of hospitality, stating, “In Libya, we pride ourselves on our hospitality and our welcoming nature. We have always prioritised treating all visiting teams with the respect and dignity they deserve.”

They expressed a strong desire to promote unity and sportsmanship within the African football community.

“We hope that this misunderstanding can be resolved with understanding and goodwill. Our doors are open to our Nigerian brothers and all African teams, and we continue to promote the spirit of unity, sportsmanship, and friendship in the world of football,” concluded the LFF.

The statement comes amid rising tensions surrounding the treatment of the Nigerian team in Libya, as various stakeholders call for understanding and cooperation between the two nations in the realm of football.