Olympics shocker: Siasia backs Dream Team quarter-final boycott

News Express |12th Aug 2016 | 2,811

The coach of Nigeria’s Olympic football squad, Samson Siasia, said on Friday that he will support players boycotting Saturday’s football quarter-final against Denmark over unpaid allowances.

“We have only been paid allowances for 11 days. There is no match bonus. What about all the months we have been training in Nigeria and Atlanta? That’s not fair,” Siasia told Nigerian radio.

Nigeria have been embroiled in one crisis after another during the Rio Games.

They were stranded for several days at their training base in Atlanta before flying to Brazil, and then the players had to beg Siasia not to quit after a win over Sweden.

“We have been disrespected from all angles – by the sports ministry, the Nigeria Football Federation. Is that how you will treat your own children? We are not street kids,” Siasia said, adding that he had not received his salary “for the past five months”.

“Everything is upside down and the boys don’t want to play anymore. Whatever they want to do, I’m with them. They are right for fighting for their rights.

“I cannot do more than what I have done to get this team up to this level. I have done my best and now I am tired.” (The Guardian)

•Photo shows Siasia