Pinnick, Rohr Clarify Derogatory Statements About The Media

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick and Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr have denied that latter made derogatory statements about media professionals in Nigeria.

Reports earlier revealed that the 64-year-old tactician called the members of the Nigerian media corrupt.

Pinnick while defending him told nff.com that: “I have spoken to him and he flatly denied calling members of the Nigeria media corrupt. Of course, he admitted saying in the said interview that some persons known to work in the media acted as agents and put pressure on his crew to include certain players in his World Cup squad. He did not say anyone was corrupt. He talked about pressure from certain quarters and some media representatives who posed as agents.”
He then called on Nigerians to support the team ahead of the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup as he said that: “We expect other Nigerians from all walks of life to join hands with the NFF in supporting the team in whichever way they can.”

In his own reaction, Rohr said that: “I have the utmost respect for Nigerian journalists, with whom I have had a warm relationship over the past two years that I have been in charge of this wonderful team (Super Eagles). Over the course of the past two years, I have met so many brilliant Nigerians including journalists who have offered great ideas and suggestions, but as in every profession, there are a number of bad eggs.

“For instance, someone reported that my captain, John Mikel Obi and his deputy, Ogenyi Onazi are at war, creating factions in camp. This is far from the truth. The other day, another person reported that I took money to include some players in the team. We are here preparing to do the country proud and someone come up with these lies. As the head of this team, I have a responsibility to protect the players and keep the family together and maintain the unity and solidarity.” He concluded.