Nigeria and Colombia are to report Pro-Global sports, the Match Agent for today’s pre-World Cup friendly, to FIFA for irresponsible behaviour.
The game, originally scheduled to be played at West Ham’s Upton Park, was on the brink of collapse, after the agents allegedly failed to meet up with their committments.
It was subsequently shifted to Luton Town’s stadium before both parties settled for Milton Keynes.
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Media Officer, Ademola Olajire explained that the fixture was rescued, only when the Nigeria federation volunteered to underwrite the expenses of the Colombians, including the appearance fee they were promised by the agent.
“To avoid what would have been a catastrophic blow and a national embarrassment, the NFF have now stepped in, undertaking to meet all financial obligations of organising the match, including all the costs of the Colombians and the appearance fee that Pro–Global Sports had promised them.
“The agents kept telling us that everything was under control, providing documentation in support of their claims, and it was not until a delegation of the NFF visited London recently that alarm bells started ringing,” he said.
Olajire confirmed that the game will now definitely go ahead as planned, at Milton Keynes, but without paying spectators.
“All arrangements have been made, and the match will now be played at the Milton Keynes Stadium, albeit with no commercial crowd attendance due to the short time frame.”
The 22,000 -capacity Milton Keynes Stadium is one 15 stadia that has been put forward by England to host the 2018 World Cup finals should their bid be successful.