NFF misappropriated FIFA’s $960,000 grant, Falcons’ coach, Waldrum alleges

Randy Waldrum (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

• Players Plan Boycott Of World Cup Opening Match • We’ll Manage The Situation For Now, Says Gusau

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has said that it will “manage the situation for now” after Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum, alleged that the body misappropriated FIFA’s $960,000 grant meant to prepare the team for the World Cup, in Australia and New Zealand.

It was the second scathing attack on the NFF in as many weeks by Waldrum. The first was their war of words over issues ranging from the team list for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to preparations, and non-payment of salaries.

“In October, every country was given $960,000 by FIFA to prepare for the World Cup, where is that money?” The American asked.

“Up until about three weeks ago, I had been owed 14 months’ salary, and then they paid seven months’ salary. We still have players that haven’t been paid since two years ago when we played the summer series in the USA…it is a travesty,” he said.

There were, however, insinuations in some quarters, yesterday, that the Super Falcons are planning to stage a strike action and boycott their opening game against Canada at the World Cup after the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, allegedly told them that their match bonuses for the competition had been cancelled by the federation.

According to reports, the players are angry that the NFF allegedly denied them 30 per cent of FIFA’s $1.5m.

The decision to stage a protest in Australia was said to have been taken after six senior players namely Captain Onome Ebi, Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, Ohale Osinachi, Tochukwu Oluehi, and Desire Oparanozie, held a lengthy meeting on arrival at the Mercure Resorts, Gold