Favour Damaris, a player for Delta Queens Football Club, has publicly appealed for assistance, raising serious allegations against the club’s management, particularly its CEO, Henrietta Ehiabor. Damaris claims that her contract with the club was fraudulently extended from two years to three years without her consent and that she has not received her salary since June 2024, which she views as a breach of contract.
In a letter dated August 24, 2024, addressed to the Nigeria Football Federation NFF, Damaris requested a provisional release letter to enable her to join a new club, citing the club’s failure to honour their agreement. Additionally, she expressed concerns for her safety, alleging that Ehiabor has threatened her life and is demanding a refund for travel expenses related to a failed deal to Portugal.
Damaris, who is deeply troubled by these events, is calling for a thorough investigation into the matter and the issuance of the provisional release letter so she can continue her football career.
Editorial
The situation involving Favour Damaris and Delta Queens Football Club highlights the pressing need for better governance and protection for athletes in Nigeria’s football industry. It’s distressing to hear allegations of contract breaches, unpaid salaries, and even threats to a player’s life issues that should never be part of professional sports.
Athletes dedicate their lives to their craft, often facing numerous challenges along the way. When a player like Damaris, who has shown commitment and passion for the game, finds herself in such a precarious situation, it reflects poorly on the structures meant to protect these athletes. This case should serve as a wake-up call to the football authorities in Nigeria to enforce stricter regulations and ensure that players’ rights are upheld at all times.
The allegations against Delta Queens’ management, particularly concerning the extension of Damaris’s contract without her consent and the non-payment of her salary, are serious and require immediate attention. Moreover, the alleged threats to her life must be investigated thoroughly, and if found credible, those responsible should be held accountable.
As a football community, we must stand with players like Damaris, who seek justice and the right to pursue their careers in a safe and supportive environment. The Nigeria Football Federation must step in to resolve this matter swiftly, setting a precedent that such issues will not be tolerated in Nigerian football.
Did You Know?
- The Nigeria Women’s Football League NWFL is one of the few women’s football leagues in Africa that has been in continuous operation for over 30 years.
- Contract disputes and non payment of wages are common issues in Nigerian football, affecting both male and female players.
- The Nigeria Football Federation NFF has a Players’ Status Committee that is supposed to handle disputes between players and clubs.
- Favour Damaris is not the first player to publicly allege threats or mistreatment by a club’s management in Nigeria.
- Delta Queens FC has a history of producing talented players who have gone on to represent Nigeria at the international level.
