The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been in some sort of acrimony with the NFF since their qualification for the knock-out face of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The Eagles boycotted their scheduled training in protest, demanding for World Cup appearance fee and are threatening not to file out against France on Monday.
Technical Committee Chairman of the NFF, Chris Green who explained the situation in the Eagles’ camp said: “The demand of the players is unreasonable, it is also unthinkable. NFF is not owing them in any way at all. We paid $5,000 for the draw against Iran, paid $10,000 for the win against Bosnia-Herzegovina and paid another $5,000 to them despite losing to Argentina just to motivate them.
“The appearance fee they are asking for cannot be paid now. We agreed that they will get it after FIFA must have paid the money. They are asking for 30 per cent of the money if they get to the last 16. We are in that stage but the event is still on. We could be in the last eight. We are expecting FIFA to also deduct our feeding, accommodation and transport expenses at the World Cup from the money.
“In 2010, FIFA eventually gave us $6.4m out of the $8m grant. This time, we cannot get up to that because we are playing more games here in Brazil and the logistics of travelling here are so huge.”
“This is the biggest stage in football. I can assure Nigerians that the players will file out against France and this money issue will not affect their performance. They are professionals and they are also playing for their respective careers,” he said.
Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo was said to have explained happenings and procedures to the players based on his experience at two previous World Cups, but he was rejected and labeled a mouthpiece of the NFF by his fellow players.
But the Senate President David Mark was said to have discussed the problem in Eagles camp with President Jonathan who directed that the matter be resolved quickly. Sports Minister Danagogo Tamuno, we gathered, will fly out to Brazil today to settle the problem on the President’s directive.
Do you think the Eagles are right to make this demand or it’s just an act of share greediness?
