Henry Nwosu, Friday Ekpo Disagree On NFF's Sharing Formula of FIFA, CAF Funds

Henry Nwosu, Friday Ekpo Disagree On NFF's Sharing Formula of FIFA, CAF Funds

By Editor

Reactions have continued to trail the sharing of the FIFA and CAF COVID-19 largesse to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as two eminent ex-internationals have lent their voices.

Recall that a total of $2 million dollars was gotten by the NFF, made up of $1 million from FIFA as a support for restarting the football season; $.5 million being FIFA’S dedicated support for women’s football; $.3 million CAF’s support to member-associations, and $.2 million support from sponsors.

However, the money was meant to further deepen football development in the country, especially after the COVID-19 Pandemic and NFF did Justice to it by distributing to national teams, clubs and others like the sports writers and referees, as well as coaches and supporters clubs.

SWAN received N11 million ($30,000) while the supporters club, presently with different factions, receive N9 million ($25,000).

Henry Nwosu (MON), former Super Eagles captain and presently a member of the board of Heartland FC of Owerri, questioned the reason for non-core stakeholders receiving part of the money.

In a chat with Daily Independent, Nwosu said it was wrong for SWAN, supporters club, the coaches and the likes to have a share of the funds.

“That money should not have been for every Tom and Harry. Look at the state of the league.

“After the national teams, NFF should have looked at ways to further develop the league in whatever way with emphasis on the clubs.

“It is even not enough to give them cash; what are other areas the league can be developed; what are other areas we can reposition things in the league?

“To me, it is not right to give it to just any association just because they identity with football,” he said.

But speaking contrarily, while also chatting with our correspondent, Friday Ekpo, former Heartland star, said the sharing formula was right.

“Who are coaches in the place of football? Who are the sports writers and who are the supporters club?

“All these are stakeholders and they all have to be happy.

“Besides, some of these coaches have not been paid for a long time and this is the right time for them to be paid,” he said.