N150, 000 Salary For NPFL Players, Inadequate – Erico

A former Super Eagles goalkeeper Trainer, Joe Erico, has said that the proposed N150, 000 minimum salary structure for footballers in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) was inadequate.

Erico told newsmen  in Lagos that the initiative was a welcome development, but was a far cry from what players should earn.

It would be recalled that the Nduka Irabor-led League Interim Board had proposed a N150, 000 as minimum salary for players in the league, a proposal that is still being considered.

“The salary for players in the league ought to be more than the amount that is being proposed, the professional life span of a footballer is short and they need to be well paid.

“However, it is a good way to ensure that players’ are well taken care of in the league and hopefully, as time goes on, it will get improved,” he said.

The coach noted that most of the clubs in the league were largely owned by government, unlike what was obtainable in other climes where corporate bodies were fully involved.

“It is progress but if our league had the support of corporate bodies in terms of owning clubs, then things will likely shape up.

“That way, we will realise that football is a business venture, with the aim of making profit,’’ Erico added.