Abuja stadium VAR equipment was not stolen, returned to FIFA HQ - NFF clarifies
The VAR equipment at the Abuja Stadium was reportedly stolen
Ghana qualifies for 2022 World Cup at expense of Nigeria
Read full articleCrowd trouble recorded in aftermath of March 26 game
Viral reports suggest VAR machine stolen
The Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, has dispelled viral reports that the Video Assistant Referee, VAR, equipment for the March 26 World Cup qualifier against Ghana had been stolen.
Crowd violence broke out at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja after the Black Stars drew one-all with the Nigerian Super Eagles.
The result allowed the Black Stars to book a spot at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar at the expense of their hosts.
Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, NFF General Secretary told the media that the reports were untrue because the equipment had been sent back to FIFA.
“There has also been an outlandish report that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) equipment that was installed for the match had been stolen. We initially thought this was an April Fool prank but it is alarming that some media outlets are taking it serious.
"Nothing of such happened. The VAR equipment remains intact and has been returned to the FIFA office in Zurich, Switzerland by Sebastian Runge, FIFA’s Head of Technology.”
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Sanusi added: “The NFF understands that Nigerians in their generality were sorely disappointed by the result of the match, which came short of having the Super Eagles at the World Cup.
"It is a painful situation for everyone, including ourselves at the Federation. However, we are appealing that the propensity for half truths and outright falsehood be discouraged. We believe that the present squad of Super Eagles is still capable of achieving great things.”
