National Chairman of Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Prince Vincent Okumagba, has debunked the report that no fewer than150 members of the Club are stranded in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

In a statement issued yesterday evening in Lagos, Okumagba revealed that the report was not only in bad taste and misleading but also reeks of blackmail.

“Let me put the records straight; out of 250 members that went for the World Cup, 150 are already back in the country comprising 50 members led by my humble self and another 100 members led by the Secretary General of the club, Rev Sam Ikpea, while the last batch of 100 members are still there with the President General, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, awaiting the confirmation of their return ticket,” reeks stated.

The NFSC Chairman restated the commitment of his executive to the welfare of members of the club. He revealed further that “many thought that the Super Eagles won’t go far in the summit and their return ticket read June 29 while we had the game against France on June 30,” adding: “I believe it was on the strength of their failure to heed strictly to flight schedule that warranted this avoidable circumstance. It should not be painted as if some people are not doing their work or abandoned their responsibilities. There should be no cause for alarm; after all, Dr. Ladipo is still there in Brazil.

“We worked out concrete plans on the schedules. If along the line a batch failed to adhere to it, an amicable and lasting solution should be reached instead of portraying him and the Secretary-General in bad light as was contained in the report. We all knew what happens when a passenger fails to board on the date in his ticket. It is not a case of proper agreement being reached with an airline. Let me make it abundantly clear that this statement is not aimed at joining issues with anybody; rather it is to put the records straight.”

Okumagba posited that he returned early to raise money for those still in Brazil, saying: “Right now, the club has remitted N2 million to offset their accommodation expenses and we are working round the clock towards the rescheduling of their flight to enable them come back to the country.

“Nobody should be crucified or portrayed in bad light for cheap points. We should also not cry wolf where there is none. One hundred members cannot represent 60 per cent of the entire contingent as claimed in some quarters.”

•Photo shows a cross section of Nigeria Football Supporters Club members on duty.

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