FIFA’s Secretary General Fatma Samoura has revealed FIFA will set up a committee to monitor the direct disbursement of players’ allowances at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup, News About Nigeria reports.
This decision comes as a step to ensure transparency and fairness in the distribution of prize money to players who participated in the tournament.
During her visit to the Super Falcons’ dressing room after their goalless draw with Ireland, which secured Nigeria a place in the second round, Samoura expressed that, for the first time in FIFA’s history, the prize money will be paid directly to the players due to the realities of the situation.
“It is because of you that for the first time in the history of FIFA, the FIFA Women’s World Cup prize money will be paid directly to you, the players,” Samoura affirmed.
However, Aisha Falode, a board member of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), clarified that the statement should not be misconstrued. She said Samoura was not solely referring to the Super Falcons but to all women’s national teams participating in the tournament.
The decision to pay allowances directly to players aims to address past issues where various women’s national teams, including the Super Falcons and South Africa women’s team, have faced challenges with their federations over allowance payments.
“FIFA cannot deal with players directly. All funds would be given to the various federations, which would be monitored by FIFA.
“The report that FIFA will pay Super Falcons directly is totally false. All teams at the World Cup would be paid through their various federations,” Falode clarified.
By establishing the committee, FIFA seeks to ensure that players receive their rightful rewards, fostering a fair and supportive environment for women’s football.
