Libyan Football Federation President Abdelhakim Al-Shalmani Resigns Amid AFCON Qualifier Tensions with Nigeria

Abdelhakim Al-Shalmani, the President of the Libyan Football Federation, has resigned from his position, citing dissatisfaction with the state of sports in the country. His resignation was announced during a regular General Assembly meeting of the Federation.

Al-Shalmani, a prominent figure in Libyan, Arab, and African football, expressed frustration with the challenges faced by the country's sports sector. He remarked, "I do not want to be part of the failure in Libyan sports," adding that difficulties during the previous period contributed to his decision to step down.

In his parting statement, he thanked the General Assembly members and expressed forgiveness towards all sectors of the Libyan sports community. "I have a history in the International, Arab, and African Federations, and no one can deny that," Abdelhakim Al-Shalmani emphasized.

The resignation comes at a time of heightened tensions between Libya and Nigeria, following the Super Eagles' challenging experience upon their arrival in Libya ahead of a critical All African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. The Nigerian national team was reportedly left stranded for over 15 hours at Al Abraq International Airport, an incident seen by some as retaliatory.

However, Libyan authorities attributed the delay to routine air traffic and logistical issues, dismissing any claims of deliberate mistreatment. Despite this, the incident has fueled speculation of strained relations between the two football associations.

With Abdelhakim Al-Shalmani's resignation, the Libyan Football Federation faces increased scrutiny as it navigates the fallout from both the internal leadership crisis and the external tensions surrounding the AFCON qualifier.