The Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) has sought the intervention of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the plight and maltreatment of Nigerian domestic players by their clubs.
In a statement by Ogugua, PFAN pleaded for the commission’s intervention in protecting the players’ welfare and jobs at their clubs.
The PFAN President, Tijjani Babangida, during his visit to the ICPC chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN) decried the exploitation of Nigerian players by their clubs in the signing of agreements and payment of salaries and allowances.
He said: “Nigerian player is one of the most negatively exploited in the world and back home in Nigeria, it is even worse.
“From non-payment of salaries and allowances despite contractual agreement to sacking of players at the beginning or middle of their contracts without payment, and official bloating of players’ wages, while paying them peanuts. These have been the plight of Nigerian players.”
Babangida added that the association would like to partner ICPC in the sanitisation of the football system in the country, particularly with regards to ethics and professionalism.
“Considering the role played by Nigerian footballers in the interest of national integration, they are treated like slaves. The plight of the Nigerian players has become pitiable, a situation that calls for an emergency intervention,” he stated.
