FIFA General Secretary, Fatma Samoura has declared that it was because of the Super Falcons of Nigeria that FIFA took the decision of paying players directly.
This is contained in a video which has gone viral.
Samoura, in the video, acknowledged that “things have been tough” for the Falcons, adding that FIFA will for the first time monitor that match bonuses get to the players directly.
“I know that things have been tough. We have to face the realities of Nigeria. It pains me a lot. It is because of you [the Super Falcons] that, for the first time, the prize money has been ring-fenced in the history of FIFA to ensure that it goes to you,” the FIFA secretary-general said.
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.
The Falcons have qualified for the round of 16 after finishing second in group B. Every team player will earn at least $60,000 for the feat.
Nigeria is billed to take on England in the second-round contest on Monday.
