Nigeria’s Super Falcons have begun a sit-in protest at their hotel in France following their elimination from the Women’s World Cup on Saturday until all of their outstanding bonuses are paid.
The players told ESPN after their 3–0 loss to Germany in the Round of 16 that they are refusing to leave until they are paid the bonuses they are owed from two games, against Gambia and Senegal, from two and three years ago.
The bonuses amount to about $5,600 but the players allege that they have only been paid half of that.
Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick, however, told ESPN that all the remaining allowances have been paid.
“We have paid them everything they are being owed,” Mr Pinnick said.
The players are also reportedly owed five days of daily allowance while at the World Cup. They are also demanding their share of the World Cup participation fee from FIFA.
“The only thing outstanding is the participation fee from FIFA, which is not expected to come until after the tournament. But they insist that they want to get paid, as they have spoken to players from Cameroon and France, who told them they have already been paid, Pinnick added.
Nigeria’s women’s team also staged a protest over bonuses after winning the 2016 African title in Cameroon.
The team also sat in at a South African hotel for three days in 2004 after winning the African title until outstanding allowances were paid.
