8, August 2023
Corrupt Nigeria: Fresh from an impressive World Cup, women demand football federation pay unpaid bonuses 0
Nigeria’s women’s football team fresh from an impressive run to the last 16 of the World Cup are demanding with the support of FIFPRO their national federation “honour their commitments” and pay them outstanding bonuses and expenses.
The Super Falcons resumed their battle with the federation after they bowed out of the World Cup losing on penalties to European champions England on Monday.
Their build-up to this year’s tournament was overshadowed by a row with their national federation over bonuses.
They had even threatened to boycott their opening game but put that behind them to draw with Olympic champions Canada and then beat co-hosts Australia.
However, on Tuesday the team and FIFPRO — who represent professional footballers — released a statement saying the matter was far from over.
“FIFPRO can confirm it is assisting players in a disagreement with the Nigeria Football Federation concerning bonus payments, camp allowances and expenses, some of which date back to 2021.
“During the World Cup, the players expressed the desire to remain focused on their performance without making public statements or facing other distractions.
“However, the Super Falcons believe that it is now time for the Nigeria Football Federation to honour their commitments and pay the outstanding amounts.”
Nigeria have appeared at every Women’s World Cup going back to the inaugural edition in 1991, but the 2023 vintage said they found it “regrettable” they needed to confront their federation.
“The team is extremely frustrated that they have had to pursue the Nigeria Football Federation for these payments before and during the tournament and may have to continue doing so afterwards,” read the statement.
“It is regrettable that players needed to challenge their own federation at such an important time in their careers.
“FIFPRO will continue to work with the players to ensure their contractual rights are honoured and the outstanding payments are settled.”
Source: AFP
6, September 2023
Football: Mali says goodbye to ‘Black Panther’ Salif Keita 0
Mali paid a final, moving tribute in Bamako on Wednesday to African football legend and “monument man” Salif Keita who died at the weekend at the age of 76.
Hundreds of people, including former teammates and Mali Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maïga, flocked to his funeral at the Place du Cinquantenaire, on the banks of the Niger River.
There they said goodbye to the man who in 1970 became the first winner of the African Ballon d’Or.
“He gave everything to Mali — as a player, coach, minister. His football academy produced geniuses for Mali,” said Idrissa Maïga, a friend and former club and national teammate. “Go in peace.”
Keita made his debut for Mali at just 16 and went on to play 28 times for his country. He was part of the Mali squad which finished second in the 1972 African Cup of Nations.
Giant pictures of him were posted and his remains were draped in the green, yellow and red flag of the country.
Delegations came from neighbouring Senegal, Ivory Coast and Guinea as well as from France where Keita played for Saint-Etienne and Marseille.
“Salif Keita is a monument, he took nothing lightly, and each Mali-Guinea match was a challenge for him,” said former Guinea international Cherif Souleymane.
Keita retired in 1980 after a successful club career in France. While at Saint-Etienne he won the French league title three times and French Cup twice.
“The Black Panther has left us, taking a part of our club with him,” Saint-Etienne said in a statement on social media.
After leaving Saint-Etienne, Keita joined Marseille and then moved to Valencia in Spain, Sporting Lisbon in Portugal before ending his club career with New England Tea Men in the United States.
He also appeared in a movie, loosely inspired by his story, which was released in 1994.
Source: AFP