FIFA plans to pay Eagles’ appearance fees

The Super Eagles on Thursday evening refused to show up for training at their Campinas camp in protest of the continued refusal by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pay them the agreed percentage of the country’s proceeds from its participation at the global soccer showpiece in Brazil.It took the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan, […]

The Super Eagles on Thursday evening refused to show up for training at their Campinas camp in protest of the continued refusal by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pay them the agreed percentage of the country’s proceeds from its participation at the global soccer showpiece in Brazil.
It took the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan, who appealed to the aggrieved players, who also threatened to boycott their Round of 16 clash against France in Brasilia tomorrow to sheath-their swords and honour the tie.
Jonathan, it was learnt spoke with the players on phone and assured them that they would be paid their allowances, after Sports Minister Tammy Danagogo informed him about the dispute.
Skipper Joseph Yobo confirmed to KickoffNigeria: “I can tell you as team captain that the team will travel to Brasilia today and we will train, and play against France.”
But a source close to the NFF informed Sunday Trust here that the leadership of the world football governing body has proposed to the federation to pay the players out of the FIFA proceeds due to the country at the ongoing World Cup fiesta.
The source also informed that members of the NFF Executive Committee were to meet yesterday to take a decision on the matter, as they had earlier promised to pay the players after the World Cup fiesta.
“FIFA has contacted the NFF and indicated interest to take from the proceeds due to Nigeria at the World Cup to pay the players and then deduct from source when the funds will be available, but the NFF will meet today (yesterday) to take a decision on the issue,” our source said.