THE Nigeria Football Federation says it has begun moves to identify the man who got on the train with the Super Falcons in Vienna, Austria on Tuesday and harrassed the players.
Team officials explained that the girls, who had been in the Austrian capital since Thursday preparing for the upcoming Aisha Buhari Cup and other engagements, decided to do some sightseeing after their morning training, and took public transport to the city centre.
They were accosted by a man claiming to be a Nigerian who verbally assaulted the ladies for representing their country in the midst of unrest.
Thankfully, the Super Falcons, most of whom have won several laurels for Nigeria, kept their cool, which apparently infuriated the individual more.
Nigeria’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon, told thenff.com that the matter had been immediately reported to the Austrian Police and the Embassy of Nigeria, and the assailant, who was removed from the train at the next station, would be fished out.
“It is unfortunate. The girls were on the way to the city centre which was just a few minutes from the hotel,” Pachon explained.
“They entered this train and the guy got inside and started insulting them. He was bundled out at the next station and we have reported the matter to the Embassy of Nigeria and the Austrian Police. We have never had this kind of case with any
of our teams and lessons have been learnt and we will be guided
appropriately going forward.
“This incident will not in any way affect the team’s camping programme
and they will remain in Austria until Saturday, 24th July as scheduled.”
NFF President Amaju Pinnick said the his organisation would immediately report the matter to world world governing body FIFA and would pursue the case to its logical conclusion.
“We are infuriated because these are young ladies who are our ambassadors and are there in Austria preparing for major international competitions,” Pinnick, who is also a member of the FIFA Council, said. “That was a dastardly act by that fellow and we are not taking it lightly. The girls simply wanted to go on sightseeing and
there is nothing wrong with that. They do not deserve to be subjected to such diatribe by a so-called fellow Nigerian.
“We will unmask the fellow and then take it from there.”
