12th November, 2015
Taiwo Adelu ([email protected])
Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has warned football agents, both within and outside the country, to stay away from the players of the Golden Eaglets or risk the wrath of the federation.
First Vice President of the NFF, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi who read the riot act warned that the football body has to guard against past experience and protect the future of the Eaglets who just returned from the FIFA U – 17 World Cup Chile 2015 where they won a record fifth title for the nation.
According to Akinwunmi, who is also the Chairman of Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), it has come to the notice of the NFF that some unscrupulous football agents have been on the trail of the young lads after their victorious exploits at the World Cup with a bid to lure them into signing juicy contracts. He added that the NFF would not allow any of the players to sign contracts that will put them into perpetual slavery which will jeopardize their future.
“We’ll do all things within our power to protect these young players from falling into the hands of ‘kangaroo’ football agents. We will go to the extent of ringing fences around these boys.
“All agents must come through the NFF because these players are national assets. They don’t belong to any club or any agent. All contracts with any of the players must be done with proper terms. I want to warn that Nigeria will longer be shortchanged again, ” Akinwunmi said.
The Vice President also noted that the NFF would ensure proper development of the world champions as effort will be made to ensure that their talents are not wasted.