The President of the Libyan Football Federation, Abdelhakim Al-Shalmani, has resigned during a regular meeting of the Federation’s General Assembly.
According to The Libya Observer, an English and Arabic online news outlet, Al-Shalmani’s decision to step down was announced on Sunday and follows increasing tensions surrounding the treatment of Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, during their recent trip to Libya for an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
The Super Eagles reportedly endured over 14 hours stranded at a Libyan airport, lacking access to basic necessities such as food, Wi-Fi, and proper accommodations. The incident sparked widespread outrage from Nigerian officials and fans, raising concerns about Libya’s ability to host international sports events.
“I do not want to be part of the failure in Libyan sports,” Al-Shalmani stated during the meeting.
Reflecting on the challenges faced during his tenure, Al-Shalmani acknowledged difficulties but expressed gratitude to his colleagues, saying, “I thank all members of the General Assembly, and I forgive everyone from all segments of the sports sector.”
Despite stepping down, he maintained pride in his contributions to Libyan and international football. “I have a history in the International, Arab, and African Federation, and no one can deny that,” he added.
His resignation comes at a challenging time for Libyan football, adding to the growing instability in the nation’s sports sector.
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