It’s no longer news that Bruno Labbadia has turned his back on the chance to be the new coach of the senior national team of Nigeria, leaving the team without a substantive coach seven days before the 2025 AFCON qualifier games against Benin Republic and Rwanda respectively.
Labbadia made a u-turn on an agreement in principle for him to replace Finidi George as the new coach of the senior national team of Nigeria, citing a breakdown in talks despite the announcement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that he is the new coach.
German publication Kicker who broke the news of the breakdown in talks cited reasons which has now been countered by a member of the media department of the NFF.
Contractual Terms Fulfilled: Documents confirms that the NFF met all contractual requirements stipulated in the agreement with Bruno Labbadia. According to these documents:
Contractual Completion: All terms outlined in the contract between Labbadia and the NFF were successfully fulfilled before any tax-related issues arose. This includes the completion of necessary paperwork and logistical arrangements for Labbadia and his team*
Arrival and Team Details: Labbadia is scheduled to arrive in Abuja, Nigeria, on Friday with three assistant coaches: Bernhard Trares, Thies Bliemeister, and Richard Osaboya Krohn. The contractual terms explicitly allowed for three assistant coaches, and this has been adhered to.
Visa Arrangements:
Visa Processing: The NFF has coordinated with the Nigeria Immigration Service to ensure that Labbadia and his team receive their 14-day visa upon arrival at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja. The visa, valid until September 13, was arranged well in advance of Labbadia’s arrival.
Biometric Requirements: The team is expected to complete the biometric process at the Visa on Arrival (VoA) lounge to secure their printed visas, with all arrangements confirmed by DCI D.O. Adebambo, Special Assistant to the Comptroller General.
Emergence of Tax Dispute:
Dispute Details: A conflict arose on Wednesday when Labbadia requested that the NFF cover his tax liabilities in Germany. The NFF deemed this request unreasonable and declined to pay the taxes, leading to the current dispute. This issue surfaced only after all contractual obligations had been fulfilled.
Federation’s Position: The NFF’s refusal to cover Labbadia’s tax payments is based on their view that such a demand is not part of the agreed contract. The federation maintains that it honored all contractual terms as specified.
Additional Arrangements:
Extra Staff: While the contract specified that Labbadia would bring three assistant coaches, the NFF also decided to add a goalkeeper trainer and an additional assistant coach. This decision was made by the federation to enhance the team’s support staff.
Conclusion:
The claim that the NFF failed to meet its contractual obligations before the tax dispute is inaccurate. The evidence indicates that the NFF fulfilled all contractual terms with Bruno Labbadia prior to the emergence of the tax dispute. The issue of tax payments arose only after these obligations had been met, and the NFF’s additional staffing decisions was part of the initial contract.
Had Bruno Labbadia not agreed to the contract details, he wouldn’t have submitted documents and completed paperwork for him and his technical team’s visa processing. Further investigation showed that he submitted the 23-man list for Super Eagles matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
