In the world of football, where cheers and glory blend with sweat and sacrifice, the distribution of FIFA prize money to players has come under the microscope, raising a fervent cry for accountability within the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). As the game unites nations on the field, the call for transparency off the pitch has taken centre stage, advocating for a fair and just allocation of funds that honors the dedication of the players.
Within the hallowed halls of the NFF, an intricate web of financial transactions ensues every time a major tournament concludes. The euphoria of representing a nation, the pride in wearing the jersey, and the relentless pursuit of victory all culminate in the ultimate goal: to bring home the coveted FIFA prize money. But as the cheers of jubilation echo throughout the stadiums, a silent question lingers in the hearts of players – will they receive their rightful share?
When FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on the eve of the 2023 Women’s World Cup that FIFA has for the first time earmarked prize money payments to be paid to players, through the various federations of participating countries, football fans and stakeholders saw it as a welcome development.
Laudable as this gesture was, most Nigerians were too comfortable with the arrangement. And this did not come as a surprise, due to the fact that Nigerian football authorities have always been caught up in one controversy or the other when it comes to payments of bonuses and allowances to the various national teams, in fact, some players have even clashed with the federation over money promised to them and not making it to teams amid the controversy.
Just last month, the South African women’s team accused their federation of withholding Women’s World Cup bonus payments. The Jamaica women’s team launched a fundraising campaign to help them fund preparations for the World Cup amid allegations that the federation was not providing agreed upon compensation.
It will be recalled that Nigeria players protested in 2019 over unpaid World Cup bonuses, and again clashed with the federation ahead of this World Cup over alleged withheld payments.
The Falcons’ head coach, Randy Waldrum, had earlier revealed that some players were owed “per diem and bonuses” since two years ago.
The development caused a stir and almost affected the preparation of the Super Falcon players with most of them insisting on missing the training to protest their unpaid bonuses.
In what seemed like a glimmer of hope FIFA secretary-general, Fatma Samoura, in a viral video on social media, revealed that FIFA had decided to pay players directly, saying the policy change is due to unpaid allowance issues involving Nigeria’s Super Falcons.
She added that FIFA for the first time would monitor that match bonuses got to the players directly.
“I know that things have been tough. We have to face the realities of Nigeria. It pains me a lot. It is because of you (the Super Falcons) that, for the first time, the prize money has been ring-fenced in the history of FIFA to ensure that it goes to you,” the FIFA secretary-general said.
Samoura’s announcement triggered a wave of controversy on social media, with some users accusing FIFA of “shaming” the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
Falode, while clarifying, said Falcons prize money from the ongoing World Cup will still be routed through the NFF.
Falode, who was in the room when Samoura made the declaration, added that FIFA only instructed the federation to ensure the money goes to the players.
“FIFA did not say it would pay the players directly. It says working through the member association – working through your federations, we will pay you this money through the federations,” the NWFL chair said.
“FIFA will pay the federations the money, and the federation pays the players with the instruction. Everybody knows it is there in black and white.”
FIFA had announced that every player participating in the World Cup group stage will earn $30,000.
The match bonuses will increase to $60,000 in the second round of the competition.
The Falcons made it to the round of 16 where the team got knocked out by England via penalties.
Falodes’s statement did not go down well with millions of football fans in Nigeria, who insisted that the Nigerians Football Federation(NFF), should be monitored to ensure that the money goes directly to the Super Falcons.
The social media was agog with different football stakeholders urging the NFF to pay the Super Falcons players their entitlements. This dragged the federation and Nigeria’s names in the mud.
“The issue isn’t just about the money itself,” explains sports analyst Jane Adebayo. “It’s about the message it sends. When there’s transparency in handling funds, it demonstrates respect for the players’ efforts and nurtures a sense of unity within the team and the fan base.”
Another sports analyst, Ashiru Adetunji noted that the development was a slap on the face of NFF, noting that transparency, like a beacon guiding a ship through turbulent waters, holds the power to maintain the trust and camaraderie between players and the organisation that supports them.
“This isn’t just a local concern. FIFA itself emphasises the importance of financial accountability and has repeatedly stressed the need for its member associations to uphold the highest standards of transparency.
“The NFF’s adherence to these principles not only benefits the players directly but also fosters international trust and collaboration,” he said.
Analysing the veracity of the act, Adetunji stressed that each kick, tackle, and goal embodies the dreams of a nation, adding that the least the players deserve was a system that ensures their hard-earned reward reaches them equitably.
He said, “The issue at hand is not merely financial; it’s about recognising the dedication that players invest in the game.
“Their journey is marked by grueling training sessions, personal sacrifices, and moments of triumph and despair. Yet, when the spotlight fades and the roar of the crowd subsides, the players often find themselves faced with doubts about the fairness of their earnings.”
He stressed the need for NFF to halt disgracing the nation amid its lust for greed.
Corroborating Adetunji’s statement, an ardent football fan, Paul Okoh, said accountability is the cornerstone upon which the bridge between the NFF and its players can be built.
He said the call for accountability is a cry that resonates beyond the boundaries of the football field, reaching the hearts of fans who fervently believe in the ethos of the game.
He stressed the need to ensure that no player is left behind in the pursuit of justice.
“In an era where information is readily accessible, and the voices of the marginalised find strength through unity, the time has come for a transformation within the federation.
“Accountability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the anthem that must guide their actions, resonating with each decision that shapes the future of Nigerian football,” he said.
Super Eagles and Napoli forward Victor Osimhen wrote, “Pay them @nffofficial” with an emoji of disappointment while former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo made a comment that tells a long story.
“NFF never stops all these things,” Ighalo wrote on Twitter.
More so, former Everton striker, Victor Anichebe, wrote: “NFF pay them! They did us all proud! And even if they didn’t. Pay them what they are owed!!!”
Also, FIFPro, the world players’ union, re-echoed the sentiment of many Nigerians, as they tackled the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for failing to pay Super Falcons players their outstanding allowances.
In a strong-worded statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, FIFPro said the Falcons are “extremely frustrated” and are ready to pursue the NFF for their allowances.
The world umbrella body for professional football players also disclosed that it will be assisting the Falcons in the pay dispute with the federation.
In the tweet, FIFPro said the players did not make a fuss about the unpaid allowances during the World Cup so it does not affect their performance.
The union added that “it is now time” for NFF to pay the Falcons and honour the contractual rights of the players.
FIFPro added that “it is regrettable that players needed to challenge their own federation at such an important time in their careers”.
“Following the Nigeria women’s football team’s elimination from the FIFA Women’s World Cup, FIFPRO can confirm it is assisting players in a disagreement with the Nigeria Football Federation concerning bonus payments, camp allowances, and expenses, some of which date back to 2021,” the statement reads.
“During the World Cup, the players wanted to remain focused on their performance without making public statements or facing other distractions.
Past and present players of the Super Eagles have also added their voices and called on the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to pay their female counterparts their long-standing arrears.
The call came within hours Global players union, FIFPRO released a statement on its readiness to assist the players in recovering their outstanding wages from the NFF.
While the dust raised by the bonus crisis is yet to settle, the House Committee on Sports has also waded into the matter, as it summoned senior officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to come and explain why they were enmeshed in FIFA money crisis with the Super Falcons at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The House Committee on Sports is bothered and had to invite the federation to explain the reason these players have not been paid since 2021.
The invitation which is scheduled for Tuesday, is to find a lasting solution to the lingering backlogs of unpaid bonuses to the national teams.
“As the world watches, the NFF stands at a crossroads. It holds within its grasp the power to rewrite the narrative, to be a beacon of change that shines a light on accountability. The players, with their dedication and passion, have spoken – their cry for fairness is unignorable, their demand for transparency unwavering. The ball is now in the NFF’s court, and its response will determine not just the trajectory of the game, but the principles it stands for,” said Sam Awazie a development advocate and public relation practitioner.