NFF Sheds Light On 2014 World Cup Financial Matters

The Nigeria Football Federation has come out to explain in detail all
financial matters around the country’s participation in the 2014 FIFA
World Cup finals.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, NFF’s Director of Competitions, Dr.
Mohammed Sanusi stated clearly that all postulations and assumptions
by some uninformed football analysts were terribly wide off the mark.

“We have been reading and listening to a lot of ‘expert views and
analyses’ on the financial details of Nigeria’s participation in next
year’s FIFA World Cup finals and most of these conclusions carry bold
marks of ignorance.

“For the avoidance of doubt, FIFA will pay each participating member
association the sum of $1.5million (about N240million) as preparation
money, and this is verifiable from all quarters, including FIFA
headquarters.

“The amount guaranteed for each team’s participation in the
championship is the sum of $8million, and no team will get this exact
sum because the money will be subject to with-holding tax, deductions
on accommodation and all extras, and some other deductions. More
importantly, this money will not be paid until after the World Cup
finals, and when what is left is eventually paid, certain percentage
of it goes to the players.”

Sanusi, a doctorate degree holder in sports administration and who is
also president of the Nigeria Association of Colleges of Education
Games, lambasted those who had gone on air and to the press to talk
about the NFF not needing any money to prepare the Super Eagles for
participation in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

“A number of these commentators are simply misleading the public. It
is unfortunate that those who should know are the ones who have been
at the forefront of the negative campaign. To prepare the Super Eagles
adequately for a big impact at the World Cup will gulp a lot of money,
in camping programmes, friendly matches and general logistics.

“The NFF has nothing to hide. All monies received from our
participation in the 2014 FIFA World Cup will be duly accounted for.”

Sanusi also described as laughable insinuations in some quarters that
the present NFF administration has much to prove.

“The present NFF administration headed by Alhaji Aminu Maigari has
achieved much more than any before it, ever since the NFF came into
being as NFA, and this is a fact. Records don’t lie. In three-and-half
years, the administration has won 10 trophies, qualified Nigeria for
the FIFA World Cup finals with ease and fostered better relationships
with other agencies and Nigeria Missions abroad, as well as breaking
new grounds in human capacity development and empowerment programmes.

“Those challenging the present NFF should first challenge themselves
to make impact in their own areas of endeavour.”