"CAF Complicit in North African Football Bias" - Barr. Chris Green Speaks Out on Super Eagles' Boycott

In an exclusive interview with Barrister Chris Green, Rivers State Commissioner of Sports, the former Rivers United administrator and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Committee member shared insights into the controversial boycott of the second leg AFCON qualifiers between the Super Eagles and Libya.

Green, known for his candid opinions on African football, shed light on the deep-rooted challenges that Sub-Saharan teams face when competing in North Africa, as well as the broader political dynamics within the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

“If CAF Doesn't Act, They're Complicit”

Green's frustration is unmistakable, as the Super Eagles' decision to boycott their match against Libya didn't come as a surprise, especially given the hostile conditions frequently reported by Sub-Saharan teams playing in North Africa.

"It's quite unfortunate that this could turn this awry because it's unsporting, unsporting behavior," Green said.

He went on to emphasize that CAF’s lack of decisive action in such matters is nothing new.

Green argued that without serious intervention, CAF's credibility is at stake. "If CAF doesn't do something decisively this time, then they're also complicit in what is going on. They support what is happening."

He made clear that this isn't a problem faced by all African teams, but primarily those from Sub-Saharan Africa. “Maybe football is not for the rest of us, only for those in North Africa. We are the ones made to face all of this rubbish.”

Underhand Tactics in North Africa

Drawing from his own experiences, Green detailed the "underhanded tactics" Sub-Saharan teams often face when playing in North Africa.

During his tenure as administrator of Rivers United, he recounted the extreme hostility his team encountered in Libya.

"In 2022, when Rivers United played in Benghazi, we got a raw deal. It was the kind of thing we never expected," he said.

"From threats of violence to being rushed by fans and security forces, the aim was clear: to frustrate our team."

He even had to take matters into his own hands, sending an advance team to secure logistics in Egypt and threatening CAF with a boycott if the hostile environment persisted. "We beat them to their game,"

Green stated, underscoring his team's streetwise tactics in lessening the anticipated confusion.

However, not all teams were as prepared. "Plateau United, who played earlier that day, suffered the most. They were not that experienced, and the hostility broke them."

CAF Must Sanction Libya

When asked what actions CAF should take, Green was unequivocal.  "The Libyan FA must be sanctioned. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) should be refunded every penny spent on this trip, and Libya should be thrown out of the series entirely."

He proposed harsher measures for future offenses. "CAF must set a precedent, teams that engage in unsporting behavior should face lengthy bans. Otherwise, this will keep happening, and one day, someone might die in the process."

The Lack of Nigerian Influence in CAF

Addressing Nigeria's limited impact within CAF, Green lamented the loss of strong leadership in African football.

"We miss Dr. Amos Adamu. When Hayatou and Adamu were in charge, Nigeria was feared. Now, what kind of representation do we have? What kind of people are there to represent us?"

He criticized the current administration, suggesting that Nigerian representatives lack the necessary influence to effect meaningful change.

Politics Over Football?

Green didn't shy away from addressing the longstanding debate over political influence in African football, particularly from North African nations.

"It's all politics. When it comes to stadium approvals, officiating, and treatment of teams, there's a clear bias," he said.

Citing his experience in Congo, Green questioned the criteria CAF uses to approve facilities. "The stadium we played in Congo was not as good as what we have in Port-Harcourt, yet it was approved. Why? It's all part of the politics."

In Green's view, political considerations are indeed shaping decisions within CAF, overshadowing football merit. "CAF is run by North Africans, and they play their politics well," he concluded.