Libyan soccer players abandon Gaddafi
Libyan soccer players tell Gaddafi to
‘leave us alone’
and defect to rebels
Seventeen leading leading Libyan soccer players have announced their defection to the rebels. The Libyan people take their soccer very seriously and it is a major blow to the Gaddafi regime
They include the national team goalkeeper, Juma Gtat, three other national team members, and the coach of Tripoli’s top club al-Ahly, Adel bin Issa. It comes on the heels of defections by military officers.
Libyan soccer players defection major propaganda blow
National team goalkeeper Juma Gtat said: “I am telling Col Gaddafi to leave us alone and allow us to create a free Libya.” In soccer-mad North Africa, the defections are clearly a propaganda blow for Col Gaddafi. But he has always resisted any pressure, political or military, to leave office.
Sports stars matter in the battle for public opinion. In Libya the Mosque and the soccer field were the only release valves for anger and frustration prior to the outbreak of hostilities. But the rebels still need to win some decisive military victories if they are to advance, no matter how many Libyan soccer players defect.
About Post Author
Holte Ender
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Maybe now Gaddafi’s head will roll?
Gaddafi and his loyal forces are all soccer fans. This is a major blow.