FIFA will still pay prize money through NFF — Aisha Falode

Chairperson of the Nigerian Women’s Football League, Aisha Falode has clarified that FIFA will still pay the 2023 Women’s World Cup prize money through the country’s federation.

FIFA Secretary-General, Fatma Samoura had provoked a controversy at the camp of the Super Falcons when she said the world’s football governing body would pay allowances directly to the players rather than through the Football Association.

FIFA had announced that every player participating in the World Cup group stage will earn $30,000.

The match bonuses will increase to $60,000 in the second round of the competition.

By this virtue, each player of the Nigerian team is expected to earn at least $60,000 for reaching the round of 16 in Australia and New Zealand.

Falode, while making the clarification during a chat with Lagos Talks FM disclosed that the World Cup prize money will be “ring-fenced” to ensure it gets to the players without interference from a third party.

She noted that Falcons’ prize money from the ongoing World Cup will still be routed through the NFF.

The NWFL chair said: “FIFA did not say it would pay the players directly. It says working through the member association – working through your federations, we will pay you this money through the federations

“FIFA will pay the federations the money, and the federation pays the players with the instruction. Everybody knows it is there in black and white”.

Nigeria will battle England in a second-round contest on Monday.