“You cannot keep people against their will in a league that doesn’t respect them, protect them care about their welfare,” ex-international defender, Taribo West said, while reacting to the remarks from Amaju Pinnick that NPFL-based players would not be allowed to join “mushroom clubs” abroad.
The NFF President speaking before Saturday’s international friendly against Mexico, Pinnick vowed to stop football agents from taking the home-grown to unknown leagues in Europe.
Pinnick, however, assured that he will assist players from the country move to major leagues in Europe citing examples of Villarreal, Valencia, and Lille.
His statement has generated reactions in the country’s football space, with the former Inter Milan man branding the comment as “insensitive” and “embarrassing”.
“Instead of improving and focusing on developing the structures around the league, you’re dictating to adults where and how to earn a living,” West told BBC Sport Africa.
“His [NPFL] league does not pay footballers and contracts to protect the lives of footballers.
“He doesn’t have any power to prevent any footballer who has access to move to those clubs he described as small leagues or ‘mushroom clubs’. Right now, there are no small countries in football.
“We all saw from the ongoing European Championships that the so-called smaller nations are causing upsets against the bigger countries.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s Albania, Luxembourg, Moldova or Georgia. Whoever gets an offer to play in these countries has the right to go anywhere they are professionally offered a contract.
“The agents or representatives of the players should fight the NFF in this battle and go where they can earn a living.”
In his words, Pinnick stated that his administration would do all it takes to help them get top clubs.
“If you’re living in Nigeria, you’re going to a top club. Villarreal, Valencia, Lille, and all those proud footballing clubs and not to one mushroom club that you’re better off,” the Fifa official was quoted per Brila.net.
“I want to expose you, people, to the highest levels so when you’re going to a foreign club, and we won’t allow any agent take you to countries like Cyprus, Belarus, etc., no, never we won’t allow it and I will make sure no transfer is issued on situations like that.”
