FIFA has appointed Gelson Fernandes, FIFA’s Director for Africa to keep an eye on the Nigeria Football Federation and the disbursement of the $1.380m due the 23 Super Falcons players who played at the World Cup.
This was revealed in a tweet by Osasu Obayiuwana, an international journalist who has kept an eye on the team.
FIFA General Secretary, Fatma Samoura had said that the World Football Governing Body is interested in Nigeria and other African countries because of previous issues with payment of bonuses to the players.
Each player of the team will get $60,000 for playing in the round of 16 at the World Cup. Shortly after the team crashed out, FIFPRO, a body which protects the rights of players released a statement, stating that some of the players are owed since 2021.
Gelson Fernandes will also keep an eye on other African Federations who got the largesse from FIFA, to make sure it gets to the players.
The issue of poor treatment of players by African Football Federations have been of utmost concern to Fatma Samoura, FIFA’s General Secretary.