Sunday Oliseh Discloses His First Salary in Europe Amid Claims Ex-Players Made a Lot of Money
- Super Eagles legend Sunday Oliseh has debunked the claims that ex-players were well paid during their careers
- Nigerians slammed Taribo West after he claimed that the government do not take care of ex-internationals
- Oliseh was one of the pioneer Nigerian footballers who broke through to European football in the early 1990s
Super Eagles legend Sunday Oliseh has hit back at the claims that his generation made a lot of money during their careers amid the controversies after Peter Rufai's burial.
Taribo West sparked controversy after claiming that the government does not take care of former footballers after their retirement despite their service to the country.
Source: Getty Images
As noted by Vanguard, the former AC Milan and Inter Milan defender made these claims at Peter Rufai's burial and was backed by other former players, including Augustine Eguavoen.
Nigerian football fans slammed him and others, claiming they mismanaged their resources during their careers and are entitled despite being duly paid for their services.
Sunday Oliseh debunks ex-players’ salary claims
Former international Oliseh has debunked the viral claims that ex-internationals from the 90s made a lot of money and should not be penniless.
Oliseh, who was one of the first Nigerian players to play in Europe, claimed that due to being the pioneers, his generation made some costly mistakes.
“People believe that we made so much money, but that was a lie. When we got to Europe, we were underpaid,” he said on the Global Insights Podcast.
The former Juventus star referenced himself as an example, noting the culture shock he had when he received his first salary at RFC Liege in Belgium.
“My first contract that I signed with FC Liege, I was paid $1,000 a month, that was what I signed,” he continued.
“When I multiplied it by Nigerian Naira, when they offered it to me, I signed it very quickly because I felt okay, this is going to solve a lot of problems back home for the family, for myself and everything.
“When the first month came and I was paid my salary, I was paid 750 dollars. I went to the office and challenged the accountant that he made a mistake. I signed a $1,000 contract, and it's 750 you paid me.”
Source: Getty Images
“He told me there was nothing wrong and I had to pay taxes, insurance, health services and everything. Those were the kinds of errors we made because we didn't know it. We did not deny that we were paid well due to our contractual restraint,” he added.
Oliseh added that the so-called “well paid” for national team duty was not so, and that their match bonuses ranged from $1,000-3,000, many of which they protested before it was paid.
Taribo West's salary in 1999 emerges
Legit.ng previously reported that Taribo West's salary in 1999 emerged after he criticised the government for not taking care of ex-internationals.
The retired footballer-turned-pastor reportedly earned ₦193 million during his final season at AC Milan before joining rivals Inter Milan.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
