Rivers United Raise Alarm Over Death Threats, Visa Denials Ahead Of Al Masry Clash

Nigerian Professional Football League side Rivers United have raised an alarm over intimidation tactics employed by Egyptian side, Al Masry ahead of their CAF TotalEnergies play-off return leg clash in Alexandria, Egypt.

The Rivers-state based side won the first leg 2-1 to gain the advantage going into the 2nd leg, which a draw will be enough to see the Nigerian side qualify for the group stages.

Rivers United made the revelation in a statement titled “Egyptian Embassy deny Rivers United visas, as Al Masry continue threats” released on its Twitter handle, @RiversUnitedFC.

The NPFL side revealed that it has gotten death threats, while some of its staff and journalists have been denied entry visas by the Egyptian authority.

The statement reads, “In what is fast unfolding as yet another ugly chapter in African football as Rivers United has decried the antics of Egyptian side Al Masry ahead of this weekend’s CAF TotalEnergies play-off return leg clash in Alexandria.

“The Pride of Rivers raced to a 2-1 victory in the first leg at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba and know a draw or victory will be good enough to progress into the group phase of the competition.

“Ahead of this weekend’s game, Rivers United has uncovered plots by Al Masry to unsettle the team, Media Officer of Rivers United. Charles Mayuku, revealed some members of the Rivers United contingent have been denied entry visas by the Egyptian Embassy, including two journalists.

In addition to the death threats and visa denials, the club also revealed it had gotten wind of a plot to frustrate the team with manipulated COVID-19 results.

“In addition, Al Masry SC in various official social media posts and their fans’ comments have threatened to hurt members of Rivers Utd. Threat statements like “we will kill you” welcome to hell and photos of knives, machetes, and flares dominated comments below Al Masry’s post

“To rub salt to wound, Rivers United has also gotten wind that Covid19 test manipulations will also be employed to further weaken the resolve of the team.

“To this effect, Rivers United has drawn the attention of Africa’s football governing body, CAF in writing, through the Nigeria Football Federation, as well the Nigerian Embassy in Egypt to this unsavoury and barbaric scheme.

“The team remains focused and are set to jet out of Nigeria on Thursday for Sunday’s action which is billed to kick off at 5 pm Nigerian time.

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