The Super Eagles at the 2010 World Cup

By Tony Ubani

The Nigerian football scene is set to rumble after the Eagles went out through the back doors in the on-going World Cup in South Africa. The fight, though, would not be to save Nigerian football. It is a war of who controls the money that accrues from the World Cup and paid by world soccer-controlling body, FIFA.

Sports Vanguard scooped from FIFA that Nigeria’s Sports Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Isa Bio, had written to FIFA to with-hold the money meant for Nigeria for her participation in the World Cup. Nigeria, like other countries that qualified for the World Cup, are entitled to $8 million.

The players who played in the World Cup are entitled to 25% of the money. A copy of the letter was personally signed by the Minister and given to FIFA. According to Bio, he urged FIFA to with-hold the money until after the election into the board of the Nigeria Football Association.

Isa Bio

Part of the Letter reads thus:
The Nigerian Government is aware that funds are made available by FIFA to all participating countries in a World Cup year.

2. In accordance with FIFA’s principle of transparency and accountability, I hereby request you to with-hold any funds due to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from FIFA until after the elections into the Board of the Federation, which comes up in Augus this year.

3. Undoubtedly, the new board shall more appropriately deploy such funds in the interest of development of the game and without prejudice to the commitment of the outgoing board in respect of the 2010 World Cup.

4. Mr President, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, I congratulate you for the succesful organisation of the first FIFA World Cup in Africa.

The letter which was addressed to President of FIFA, Joseph Sepp Blatter was signed by Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Isa Bio, Honourable Minister of Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission.