Spanish football giant FC Barcelona is set to make a historic move by playing a friendly match in Libya and opening a new football academy in the city of Benghazi, according to reports by the official Barcelona website and Germany’s OneFootball.
The reports, monitored and translated by Al-Marsad newspaper, revealed that Barcelona continues to expand its global presence through sports initiatives, including the launch of training academies in various countries.
An initial agreement has been reached following a meeting between Libya’s Minister of Investment in the Government of Stability, Ali Al-Saeedi, and Libyan MP Al-Salihin Abdel Nabi with Barcelona President Joan Laporta. The agreement includes hosting a friendly match and establishing a future football academy.
Benghazi has been identified as the proposed host city for the match, although no date has been set yet. The reports highlighted Barcelona’s aim to strengthen its ties with North Africa by sharing its football expertise and maintaining its influence in the region.
Further details about the meeting and the proposed match are expected to be announced officially by FC Barcelona in the near future.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
