Ayomide Sotubo
The President, National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers (NANPF), Tijani Babangida has singled out the Nigeria Football Federation for criticism for declining to release FIFA and CAF Covid-19 relief funds to players and clubs after promising to do so months ago.
The Ex Super Eagles international who also played for Ajax Amsterdam as a winger, galvanized the NFF to remedy the misery of Nigerian footballers by making the FIFA funds meant as palliatives available.
While being engaged by journalists, Babangida revealed that NFF had received half of the palliative funds but have not given the money out to players they were dedicated to.
In visible anger, he said, “I am not happy with the present situation concerning the refusal of the NFF to disburse the palliative funds to the players. I keep receiving calls and messages from distressed players old and young on their plights occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.
“I want to advise that NFF react quickly to this request on the disbursement of the palliative to footballers. The monies should not be diverted to other means than the purpose FIFA meant it to served, Babangida admonished.