THE global union of footballers FIFPRO has stepped in to assist the Super Falcons in retrieving the backlog of bonuses and allowances owed them by the Nigeria Football Federation.
FIFPRO said today that it will help the nine-time African women’s champions in their fight to receive entitlements owed since 2021.
The Super Falcons posted impressive performances at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, only losing out on penalties to England in the round of 16 yesterday.
However, they arrived at the tournament in the midst of a long dispute with the NFF over pay and conditions, with coach Randy Waldrum revealing that he was owed seven months’ wages and some of his players had not been paid in two years.
“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 players body said in a statement issued today.
“During the World Cup, the players expressed the desire to remain focused on their performance without making public statements or facing other distractions.
“However, the Super Falcons believe that it is now time for the Nigeria Football Federation to honour their commitments and pay the outstanding amounts.”
The players boycotted training sessions during the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco last year over the same pay issues, and were reportedly planning to sit out their first World Cup match in Australia before changing their minds.
“The team is extremely frustrated that they have had to pursue the Nigeria Football Federation for these payments before and during the tournament and may have to continue doing so afterwards,” FIFPRO added.
“It is regrettable that players needed to challenge their own federation at such an important time in their careers.
“FIFPRO will continue to work with the players to ensure their contractual rights are honoured and the outstanding payments are settled.”
Super Falcons striker Ifeoma Onumonu even told The Guardian that the squad had no access to a gym in their training camp in Nigeria and that the players were forced to share beds.
“There’s a lot that needs to be done. Hopefully more people start to talk about it. Coming here it’s hard to adjust,” she said.
“We do what we can because we love playing for our country but hopefully they make it easier for us to do our best.”
According to FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura, the constant payment headaches the Super Falcons faced was one of the reasons the global ruling body resolved to ensure players get their World Cup bonuses in a new reward model.
Each of the Super Falcons players will receive $60,000 each as World Cup bonuses for reaching the round of 16 in Australia.
FIFA will pay the money through the NFF but will monitor and ensure each player gets her due.
