The Libyan embassy in Rome has obtained approval from the Italian Ministry of Health to allow the national mini-football players who contracted malaria to receive treatment in Italy, Omar Al-Tarhouni, Libya's Ambassador to Italy, confirms.

According to Ambassador Al-Tarhouni, Italy required Libya to pay the full cost of treatment before granting the visa or giving permission for Libya's ambulance service to land in Italy, noting that the hospital's due payments will take place on Monday.

The Libyan mini-football team, which came second in the African Championship held in Nigeria recently, suffered a severe blow, as most of its players, administrative and technical staff contracted malaria during their stay. The team lost one player while others had to be admitted to the intensive care unit.

Health