Nigerian footballer Oto John suffered a minor injury amid violent scenes during the Libyan Premier League Championship match between Al-Ittihad Club and Asswehly, Naija Footy reports.
The drama unfolded Thursday night at Tarhuna Stadium in Tripoli, where chaos overshadowed the action on the pitch. The situation spiraled out of control as fan violence erupted, leading to riots, reports of gunfire, and ultimately, the abrupt abandonment of the match. Oto John wasn’t the only Nigerian caught in the turmoil—his compatriot, Orok Gabriel, was also playing for Asswehly during this ill-fated match.
The tension reportedly boiled over in the 87th minute when Al-Ittihad challenged a penalty decision that went against them while trailing 1-0. Earlier in the match, Asswehly had secured their lead after Ayoub Ayad confidently converted a penalty in the 55th minute.
Despite the game being officially closed to spectators, reports suggest some Al-Ittihad supporters found a way to view the match from a nearby eight-story building. Minutes later, they stormed the pitch, allegedly attacking visiting players, referees, and security staff in a frightening display of hooliganism.
The chaos culminated in widespread disarray inside the stadium, with tragic reports emerging that a security officer had lost their life during the unrest. Several players and officials also sustained injuries, casting a shadow of concern over the safety protocols in Libya’s domestic league.
The founder of 36 Lion Football Club in Nigeria, Hajji Gafar Liameed, shared updates on Oto John’s condition on Friday. He expressed relief over the player’s recovery after speaking directly with him.
“I spoke with Oto John a couple of minutes ago. Thank God he is stable and optimistic about returning to training soon. But what happened in Libya yesterday is unacceptable,” he said.
Liameed also emphasized the need for stricter measures to ensure player safety abroad and called for an end to destructive fan behavior that tarnishes the sport.
This alarming incident has reignited conversations about improving security and prioritizing the welfare of players and officials in football leagues worldwide. Sports should remain a unifying force, not an arena for violence.
