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Oliseh withdraws suit against NFF, insists he was not paid

By Tonye Bakare
15 March 2016   |   11:07 am
Former Super Eagles' coach, Sunday Oliseh, has withdrawn a lawsuit he instituted against the Nigerian Football Federation.
Oliseh

Oliseh

Former Super Eagles’ Coach Sunday Oliseh has withdrawn a lawsuit he instituted against the Nigerian Football Federation. Oliseh is to appear before the House of Representatives.

“I have instructed my lawyers to withdraw the lawsuit against the Nigerian Football Federation, after speaking with many Nigerians whom I respect a lot,” Oliseh said in a video message posted on his personal website.

The former Eagles’ handler said he resigned due to “contract violations, lack of support, unpaid wages, benefits to my players, assistant coaches and myself.”

But the NFF disputed Oliseh’s claims that he had not been paid. The Federation said the ex-Eagles’ coach was paid about N20 million shortly before his resignation and that it owed the players and the coaches bonuses for the World Cup qualifier against Swaziland played in Port Harcourt.

In a statement shortly after Oliseh’s resignation, the NFF said: “With regard to the allegation that he was not supported, it is pertinent to note that Mr. Oliseh himself had on numerous occasions expressed gratitude for the support he had received from the NFF and in particular from the NFF President and Vice Presidents.”

Oliseh, however, insisted that he has not been paid. According to him, he chose to withdraw the suit against the NFF because it was pointless. He presented a statement of account from Zenith Bank, through which his salary was paid as the head coach of the Super Eagles. The evidence showed that there was no payment made to him in February contrary to the NFF’s claim. He also presented evidence of footing the bill of Super Eagles’ feeding during camp in South Africa between January 5  and January 16, 2016.

“I also believe it is useless joining issues with people who are bent on deceiving Nigerians, and misleading Nigerians and diverting attention from the reality. And the reality is that I decided to resign on 25th of February because certain vested interest in the NFF put their interest first before the interest of our country,” he said.

Further in the in the video, Oliseh stated that his position that national interest should supersede personal interest was a hindrance to some people, who frustrated his efforts. He said the Federation prioritised expenditures that have little or no positive effects on the national team while leaving important needs unattended to.

He also blamed the technical committee of the NFF for not supporting him. He said the committee was more interested in interfering in team selection instead of providing needed support.

“What they found more important to them was trying to influence who plays for Nigeria; who gets invited; who will play,” Oliseh said. “And obviously, I refused because they are not coaches.”

13 Comments

  • Author’s gravatar

    It is NFF, so no story..

  • Author’s gravatar

    What case are you filing in the first place?

    Why don’t you just report Nigeria to FIFA? FIFA will just deduct your salary from the next allocation due Nigeria.

    If that doesn’t work, go to CAS.

    Oliseh has retired from coaching the National team?

  • Author’s gravatar

    If Oliseh i know have any case, he will never let NFF to go without paying for it. So for me he has no case.

  • Author’s gravatar

    A clown with big head but small brain. 419 coach. God will judge you soon, barawo

    • Author’s gravatar

      A clown?..with all this facts?..present yours to counter this.I am totally in his support..this the kind of people we need..if things are not moving well..speak out and if there is no change..quite.!this NFF people are suppose to be investigated and prosecuted duly…where were you when Home based Eagles were begging for provisions in Burundi?…yet you expect miracle..hmnn?..for calling it quit for the interest of the nation.

  • Author’s gravatar

    There is a dearth of truth now in Nigeria! It is everywhere! Banks are doing what they like deducting customers money in a manner that looks like 419 motives! There is stealing going on subtly in every facet of Nigerian life! The senate asked the power holders to stay action on the increased tariff; the senate had gone to sleep while power holders are charging high prices; even the CBN that mouthed cashless policy is no more interested in that policy, DSTV now ask their subscribers to come with cash as their PoS has stopped working; eateries like jevenik have stopped accepting their money through PoS! I dream citizens revolt soon!
    Even NFF cannot confirm how much they are owing a coach hired by them! Our former president had worshipped in Jerusalem and our current president just came back from Mecca where he went to worship! Our presidents have worshipped in all the holy cities of the world; oh Lord, hear our prayers, and let our cries come unto thee!