Fifpro assisting Nigeria women's team in pay dispute with federation
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Nigeria looking on during their last-16 penalty shoot-out defeat by England at the Women's World Cup on Aug 7.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
SYDNEY – Fifpro is assisting the Nigerian women’s team in their fight with the country’s football federation (NFF) to receive wages owed since 2021, the global players’ union said on Tuesday.
Nigeria arrived at the Women’s World Cup having been at loggerheads with the NFF over pay and conditions, with coach Randy Waldrum saying he was owed seven months’ wages and some of his players had not been paid in two years.
They had even threatened to boycott their opening game, but put that behind them to draw with Olympic champions Canada and then beat co-hosts Australia.
Nigeria reached the knockout stages at the World Cup, where they were eventually eliminated by England on penalties after a 0-0 draw in their last-16 match on Monday.
“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,” it said in a statement.
“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.”
Reuters has contacted the NFF for comment. They did not respond when asked about the issue last month.
Nigeria are 11-time Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions and the outspoken Waldrum said he was not confident the dispute would be resolved by the end of the tournament.
“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.”
Nigeria forward Ifeoma Onumonu revealed the squad have 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 was quoted as saying by the Guardian.
“We do what we can because we love playing for our country but, hopefully, they make it easier for us to do our best.”
Meanwhile, England’s Lauren James issued an apology on Tuesday after she was sent off for a stamp on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie.
“All my love and respect to you. I am sorry for what happened,” the 21-year-old James said on messaging platform X.
“Also, for our England fans and my teammates, playing with and for you is my greatest honour and I promise to learn from my experience.” REUTERS, AFP