Spain refutes claims of denying Nigerian footballers visas

Spanish authorities have refuted claims that they denied Nigerian junior football team visas to attend a tournament in the country.

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had said the visa denials affected both players and officials of the U15 football team, the Future Eagles, that was to take part in the Uefa U16 Development Tournament.

However, the Spanish authorities told the BBC that the federation's claim was not correct.

"Our Consulate General in Lagos has gone through the case and wishes to inform that the applicants withdrew their applications at the consulate on Monday, April 8.

"No one has denied those visas," a representative for the Spanish embassy in Nigeria said.

The Future Eagles were set to leave Nigeria on Tuesday, ahead of their first match against Belgium on Friday.

The 20-player squad was also due to play against Italy and England.

Goal of tournament

The Uefa Under-16 Youth Development Tournament, which is organised by Europe's football governing body, has been held since 2012. 

It is intended to expose elite junior players to international football and ease their transition into senior levels of the sport.

Nigerian athletes and their supporters often complain about being denied visas by other countries, even when they say they have fulfilled all the visa requirements.

In February, Nigeria's national football team pulled out of a planned friendly match against Argentina, which was to be held in the US, after the Nigerian players failed to secure visas on time.