17th June, 2014
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has blasted reports insinuating rift between the federation and players of the Super Eagles on appearance monies and bonuses at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.
Ademola Olajire, NFF spokesman dismissed the report which suggested that Senate President, David Mark (GCON), blamed the NFF leadership for holding onto the players’ money, as low–quality fiction.
“The persons who wrote those reports were never at that meeting. There have been a couple of meetings on the appearance fees and bonuses and all ended pretty well and on note of good understanding between the NFF and the players.
“There is not even any money to hold onto, yet. FIFA has not paid Nigeria for participation in the competition as no one knows yet how far we will go to determine the amount to be paid. No country has been paid appearance fees.
“The percentage to be paid eventually has been agreed with the players and they are happy.”
Olajire regretted that some fellows who were nowhere during the struggle to qualify for the finals have been desperate to hug the headlines through negative tactics.
“It is unfortunate that at this period that we should all work together and be on the same page for the interest of our country, some people are hell–bent on a negative campaign to try and make the NFF look bad.
“The Maigari administration is on record as never having defaulted on any agreement with players of the national teams, and actually paid the Super Eagles’ appearance fee for the last FIFA World Cup in South Africa, which was inherited from the last Board.
“The present NFF is the most successful in the annals of Nigeria football and the facts are there for all to see. No amount of hate literature will be able to take anything away from this truism.”