FIFA to set up Committee to monitor disbursement of players’ bonuses

Nigeria players stand for their national anthem before the start of during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup Group B football match between Ireland and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane on July 31, 2023. (Photo by Patrick Hamilton / AFP)

FIFA’s Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, has disclosed that the world football governing body would monitor disbursement of players’ allowances at the ongoing FIFA Women World Cup would.

Samoura made the statement when she visited the Super Falcons’ dressing after their goalless draw with Ireland, which fetched Nigeria a second round ticket.

She said that for the first time, the prize money would be paid to players directly because of such realities.

“It is because of you that for the first time in the history of FIFA, the FIFA Women World Cup prize money will be paid directly to you, the players,” Samoura said.

Meanwhile, an NFF board member, Aisha Falode, has debunked reports by some media outlets that the Samoura said that the World Cup bonuses would be paid to the Falcons directly because of Nigeria’s financial issues with the women team.

“I am surprised when people misinterpret information to the public. When Nigeria booked the ticket for the second round of the Women’s World Cup, the FIFA secretary asked us to take her to the dressing room to congratulate the players.

“In one of the statements, the Secretary said it is because of players like you we decided to pay these allowances. The secretary was not referring only to the Super Falcons at that point on this statement. It would be recalled that various women national teams, which include Falcons, the South Africa women’s team and other teams in the world have been at loggerheads with their federations over the