Nigerian football team arrested, fined & deported from the UAE for overstaying

The Ras Al Khaimah Civil Court ordered a 22-member Nigerian football squad comprising players, administrative staff and technicians to pay Dh1,000 each and then be deported, after being found guilty of staying beyond the legally permitted period.

A senior court official said the team had come to the UAE on the invitation of Ras Al Khaimah Sports Club to play several matches. 

"They played one game at the club, then the entire unit disappeared," said the official. He added that the disappearance shocked everybody, and the Ras Al Khaimah Sports Club spent a long time searching for them. "The club's administration then reported the incident to Ras Al Khaimah Police, who arrested all 22 members of the team in coordination with other police departments," the official said. He added that the team members had been referred to the Ras Al Khaimah Public Prosecutor, which charged them with staying in the country beyond the legally permitted period. 

"The Public Prosecution then referred them all to Ras Al Khaimah's Civil Court which ordered them to pay a Dh1,000 fine each to be followed by immediate deportation," the official added. Sheikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chief of Ras Al Khaimah Courts, later ordered the fines waived.