The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) hinted at the possibility of withdrawing from the African Cup of Nations for local players, which Algeria will host between 13 January and 4 February.
In a statement, it said, “We are following up with regret, the measures taken against us based on the demands of people seeking to obstruct the work of the federation, and to freeze the football game nationally and internationally.”
It added: “There are cases filed against the Libyan Football Federation in the ordinary courts, in violation of the rules and regulations of the Federation and the African and International Federations, which prohibit resorting to ordinary courts in sports disputes.”
“Although these cases are still pending before the ordinary courts, and no final rulings have been issued, until they are dealt with, taking into account FIFA’s regulations and directives. We were surprised by the issuance of quick decisions to temporarily suspend the federation’s accounts, in implementation of the desires of those seeking to achieve private ends, and not to achieve the public interest,” the LFF stated.
“We are now in the process of preparing to participate in a continental championship (African Nations Championship). Our team is in a preparatory camp in Tunisia. We may have to withdraw, if the capabilities are not available. The federation also has obligations to pay the foreign coach, and his technical staff their salaries on time. The coaches have threatened to stop, and resort to FIFA in the event of a delay in paying their salaries, which would result in stopping the activities of the LFF in local competitions.”
“In our interest, in the supreme interest of the country, the matter requires the intervention of those concerned with the public interest, and football in particular. To take measures that would ensure the progress of Libya’s participation internationally,” it concluded.
