adminRIO DE JANEIRO. — The Nigeria soccer squad at the World Cup have missed a scheduled training session in a row over bonus money.
BBC Sport understands the players believe they are each US$15 000 short of what they were expecting for reaching the last 16 in Brazil. They refused to train in Campinas on Thursday and officials later confirmed the session had been cancelled.
Nigeria are scheduled to play France in the knockout stages on Monday having finished as runners-up in Group F.
BBC Sport has learned the problem lies in the interpretation of the bonus structure, with the players believing they will only receive US$10 000 for their win 1-0 over Bosnia-Herzegovina and US$5 000 for the 0-0 draw with Iran.
The players’ understanding was they would receive a US$30 000 payment for qualifying from the group. — BBC Sport.
Online Reporter