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Former First Vice Chairman of the Edo State Football Association, Darlington Okpebholo-Ray, on Thursday called for more and stiffer sanctions for Libya over the ill treatment meted out to the Super Eagles in the run-up to the botched Nations Cup qualifier scheduled for Tuesday.
Recall that the Super Eagles’ chartered flight had been diverted to an obscure location upon their arrival in Libya on Sunday ahead of the crucial second leg following a 1-0 win in the first leg in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The Nigerian contingent, comprising players and officials, was held hostage for over 18 hours at the airport in an attempt to derail their preparation for the match.
They were originally scheduled to land in Benghazi, but the plane was diverted to Al Abraq, an airport used specifically for Hajj operations by the Libyan authorities.
Okpebholo-Ray said what transpired between the two countries was disheartening and shocking, particularly when viewed through the lens of their long-standing diplomatic relationship.
He said while the rescheduling of the match was a positive step, it should not be the end of the matter; rather, CAF must go further by awarding the three points to Nigeria as a just consequence of Libya’s actions.
He said additionally, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) should be sanctioned to serve as a deterrent to other nations, adding that football, especially in Africa, cannot afford to have its reputation tarnished by such unsporting behaviour.
Opkebholo-Ray noted that suspending Libya from international football competitions for a significant period would send a strong message to others, pointing out that it would demonstrate that CAF is serious about upholding the principles of fairness, sportsmanship, and respect that are at the core of the game.
He said that the international community is watching, and Africa must not let football become a victim of political or selfish interests.
He said, “I am calling on CAF to impose stiffer sanctions for Libya to send a strong signal to the rest of Africa. The ugly occurrence has exposed the darker side of African football.
“A strong action from CAF can be a turning point. By taking decisive measures, CAF can ensure that football remains a force for good on the continent, uniting rather than dividing nations.”
