The Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, on Friday protested over the dislodgement of the Golden Eaglets, Nigeria’s U-17 men’s team, from a Gabon- bound flight by the Gabonese authorities over the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, pandemic.
The team, which was issued boarding pass for their African U-17 Championships due for today on the ASKY Airline flight from Cotonou to Libreville, via Lome, was subjected to the harsh treatment after landing in the Togolese capital.
In a protest letter sent to the Confederation of African Football, CAF, Musa Amadu, the NFF’s General Secretary, described the treatment as unkind and unfair.
“We strongly protest this harsh, unkind and unfair treatment of players below the age of 17, who have had to go through this arduous and tiring journey to further their career in football. We are very much aware that (CAF has stated clearly that football matches should not take place in only three countries, namely Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, as a result of the Ebola Virus Disease pandemic,” Amadu said.
While stressing that the players have necessary precautions by securing Ebola –free medical certificates, Amadu urged CAF to take necessary action on the incident.
“Our players have taken serious precautions and even have Ebola –free Medical Certificates. The NFF is sorely disappointed by this attitude of Gabonese authorities and we implore CAF to come into this matter and determine the issue of the qualifying fixture,” Amadu added.
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