The Nigeria women’s national team ended their protest over unpaid bonuses on Sunday and left their hotel in France following their elimination from the World Cup.
The players demanded payment of outstanding allowances from the Nigerian Football Federation. They told ESPN FC they were owed bonuses from two games, against Gambia and Senegal, from as far back as two years ago, amounting to 2 million Nigerian naira (about $5,600 U.S.)
A resolution was found after meetings with officials, where they received explanations about the payments and assurances the money would be paid.
FIFA stepped in Sunday morning after the players missed their transport to Paris and subsequently their flights, and the NFF were advised that any further expenses incurred by the team’s continued stay would be deducted from their participation fee.
NFF president Amaju Pinnick told ESPN FC the issue came down to a misunderstanding.
“As far as we are concerned that is a nonissue as the bonuses they are asking for have been paid,” he said. “The problem is that the players wanted to be paid the bonuses for home matches in U.S. dollars, but that is no longer the rule under this government.
“All transactions for home games must be paid in naira.”
Nigeria reached the knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup in France before losing 3-0 to Germany in the round of 16 on Saturday in Grenoble.
The players are expected to arrive in Abuja, Nigeria, on Monday after they told ESPN they had accepted the explanation and were on their way home.
Espn report.
