FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2014

Super Eagles boycott training in money row

PHOTO | JEWEL SAMAD Nigeria's forward Ahmed Musa celebrates scoring his second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Group F football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre on June 25, 2014. Nigeria lost 2-3.

PHOTO | JEWEL SAMAD Nigeria's forward Ahmed Musa celebrates scoring his second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Group F football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre on June 25, 2014. Nigeria lost 2-3.   AFP

In Summary

  • The players believe they are each Sh1.3 million (US$15,000 or £8,800) short of what they were expecting for reaching the last 16 in Brazil.
By AFP
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LONDON

The Nigeria squad at the World Cup on Friday missed a scheduled training session in a row over bonus money.

The players believe they are each Sh1.3 million (US$15,000 or £8,800) short of what they were expecting for reaching the last 16 in Brazil.

They refused to train in Campinas on Thursday and officials later confirmed the session had been cancelled.

Nigeria are scheduled to play France in the knockout stages on Monday having finished as runners-up in Group F.

It is believed the problem lies in the interpretation of the bonus structure, with the players believing they will only receive Sh870,000 (US$10,000) for their win 1-0 over Bosnia-Hercegovina and Sh435,000 (US$5,000) for the 0-0 draw with Iran.

MISUNDERSTANDING

The players' understanding was they would receive a Sh2.6 million (US$30,000) payment for qualifying from the group.

However, it is believed the Nigerian Football Federation's offer to the players includes the agreed win and draw bonuses plus 30 per cent of the prize money due from Fifa for reaching the knockout stage.

This is understood to rise to 40 per cent of the prize money from Fifa if Nigeria were to win their round of 16 match, 50 per cent for a quarter-final victory, 60 per cent for a win in the semi-final stage and 70 per cent for lifting the trophy.

While all parties work to find a resolution to the misunderstanding, coach Stephen Keshi (above) has insisted it will not affect the team's performance. The players were set to travel to Brasilia yesterday as scheduled and train in the evening and over the weekend.

It is not the first time the Super Eagles have made a stance over money - last year they arrived late for the Confederations Cup in Brazil.