Nigerian footballer Oto John sustained a minor injury during violent crowd disturbances that forced the abandonment of a Libyan Premier League Championship match between Al-Ittihad Club of Tripoli and Asswehly of Misrata on Thursday night.
The match, played at Tarhuna Stadium on May 14, 2026, was called off following fan violence, riots and reported gunshots that erupted late in the encounter.
Another Nigerian player, Orok Gabriel, featured for Asswehly in the game.
Trouble reportedly started in the 87th minute after Al-Ittihad players and officials protested a penalty appeal that was waved away while Asswehly led 1-0 through Ayoub Ayad’s 55th-minute penalty.
Despite the match being scheduled behind closed doors, some Al-Ittihad supporters were said to have watched from a nearby eight-storey building before storming the pitch and attacking visiting players, officials and security personnel.
Reports indicated that a security officer lost his life during the chaos, while several players and officials sustained injuries.
Founder of 36 Lion Football Club, Hajji Gafar Liameed, confirmed on Friday morning that Oto John was in stable condition after speaking with the player.
“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,” Liameed said.
He condemned the violence and called for better protection for footballers, especially Nigerian players plying their trade abroad.
“Acts of hooliganism and brutality must be entirely eradicated from football. Players go out to play, not to risk their lives. We demand stronger protection for all players, especially our Nigerians abroad,” he added.
