The Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) has rejected claims made by Faisal Al-Badri, captain of the Libyan nationwide soccer crew, concerning mistreatment upon their arrival in Nigeria.
The NFF has clarified that it was the Libyan Soccer Federation (LFF) that brought on confusion for the crew, the Mediterranean Knights.
Mr. Emmanuel Ayanbunmi, NFF’s Assistant Director (Protocol), defined that the LFF solely knowledgeable them concerning the crew’s arrival in Port Harcourt, as a substitute of Uyo, simply three hours earlier than touchdown on Tuesday. “I spoke to the Common Secretary of LFF at size on Monday, seventh October, and he by no means hinted that his crew could be arriving on Tuesday,” Ayanbunmi stated. “He solely talked about that he would get again to me, however he by no means did.”
In response to Ayanbunmi, plans had been made to obtain the crew in Uyo, however there was a sudden change of data. “On Monday night, somebody from the LFF knowledgeable me the crew would arrive by midday on Tuesday. We made all preparations to welcome them in Uyo. Nonetheless, solely an hour after the crew was airborne, we have been advised they’d land in Port Harcourt. This disrupted many issues.”
He additional defined that after touchdown in Port Harcourt, they tried to get approval for the crew to fly to Uyo, however the Libyan delegation selected to journey by street as a substitute, to keep away from further prices.
Ayanbunmi additionally acknowledged that the Libyan crew opted for their very own transportation, ignoring the preparations made by the NFF. “In the event that they traveled in buses with out air-conditioning, that was their alternative. We offered safety, with males and automobiles escorting their buses. We stand by our efforts and are unbothered by their complaints.”