Pinnick: Nigeria Not Paying Atlético A Dime, Sundowns Paid Barca N1.5 Billion For Friendly

Amaju Pinnick has revealed that the Nigeria Football Federation did not pay any money to bring Atlético de Madrid to Nigeria for a friendly against the Super Eagles because of their relationship with Liga de Fútbol Profesional.

The NFF president has claimed that Absa Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns had to fork out four million dollars (approximately N1.5 billion in Nigerian currency) before Barcelona agreed to travel to South Africa for the Mandela Centenary Cup match.

''That is the beauty about what Shehu (Dikko) has done, we are not paying Atléticoa dime. Sundowns paid Barcelona four million dollars, we are not paying,'' Pinnick told Channels Television.

''The arrangement that the League Management has with La Liga some few years ago, you know La Liga have an office here, they pay taxes here, there are people they employ here so we have beautiful relationship with La Liga.

''We have just gotten their landing permit to fly into Uyo. They loved the Stadium when they came.''

The friendly between Nigeria and the Europa League finalists will be staged at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on May 22.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : en.atleticodemadrid.com