We don't owe you — NFF to Super Falcons as NASS demand payment slips

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, and the Super Falcons have been in a head-to-head battle about FIFA money, but the governing body has now responded.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has confirmed that the Nigeria Super Falcons have been paid by the body. 

Pulse Sports Nigeria can report that the President of the body, Ibrahim Gusau, revealed this during his appearance before the ad hoc committee of the National Assembly, NASS. 

The lower chamber of the NASS, the House of Representatives, is investigating the non-payment of allowances and money due to Super Falcons players over the years. 

Super Falcons’ pre-FIFAWWC complaints

Before the team’s brave performance at the ninth FIFA Women’s World Cup, FIFAWWC, the national women’s team complained about non-payment of their allowances amongst other things.

Led by coach of the team, Randy Waldrum, the NFF was quizzed about the 960, 000 given to Nigeria for making it to New Zealand and Australia.

As reported by Pulse Sports, Waldrum opened up a can of worms which led to a war of words between him and the NFF.

“I have a real close contact in the US that is very connected and on some of the boards at FIFA. This person told me, that in October, every country was given $960,000 from FIFA to prepare for the World Cup. Where is that money?” Waldrum queried back in June.

NFF responds

Waldrum’s comments led to reactions from the NFF and Nigerians, who were appalled by the actions of the NFF.

However, the football governing body has now defended itself, with claims that they don’t owe the players. 

According to a report by Premium Times, Gusau noted that the said money was meant for the preparation of the team for the World Cup, not allowances which they have also paid the team.

“All the 32 nations that qualified for the World Cup were given $960,000 each for preparation for the World Cup,” Gusau told the NASS Committee.

“In January, we organised a training tournament of four nations — Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica and Nigeria. Every team used FIFA preparation money. The team was camped in Mexico and they were there for 13 days. In March, they were in Turkey for another training camp.

“The money was not given for the welfare of players but for preparing the team,’ he added. “We paid them allowances as per the tournament they participated in. We cannot use the preparation money to pay outstanding of qualifier matches.

“If the auditors of FIFA should see it, they will query us for that. The money was specific. We cannot use the money for a qualifier that was played in 2019,” he said.

Meanwhile, following claims by Mr Gusau that the NFF has cleared allowances including that of coach Waldrum, the House committee has demanded that the body provide payment slips and evidence dating back to 2019. 

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