Nigeria international and Udinese defender William Troost-Ekong is set to face sanctions from the nation’s football governing body after he was accused of showing disrespect to senior officials of the NFF.
Troost-Ekong, one of Gernot Rohr’s biggest stalwart, could be handed a lengthy ban after reports emerged that he has fallen out with top Nigeria Football Federation officials, following series of misdemeanours.
According to renowned BBC journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, in a series of tweets, it was revealed that the Super Eagles defender was one of the chief protagonists in a bonus row involving the players and the Nigerian Federation during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. As a result of which the Dutch-born star was tagged a disruptive influence.
“A lot of the problems that we had with the players, during the AFCON 2019, were not helped by his behaviour,” the top NFF official said.
”He played a huge role in stirring up the players and upsetting the atmosphere in camp. If not careful, he could face a ban from the Super Eagles.”
Another top official added: ”He shows little respect to officials and exhibits no decorum at functions, where he is known to be contemptuous. We are at the end of our rope and we may have to take drastic action against him”.
A member of the Super Eagles technical staff also corroborated this: “When Troost-Ekong came to the team, he was one of the best-behaved players in the team.
”But he hardly shows respect for anyone now. He’s a big-shot player in Serie A with Udinese.
”I would not lose any sleep if he was to lose his starting shirt. He thinks he has become so important that no one can talk to him. Or correct his actions. He needs to be taken down a peg or two and regain some humility.”
Meanwhile, Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has expectedly backed Troost-Ekong while expressing his astonishment at the allegations.
”I have not had any complaints about Troost-Ekong, so I am surprised to hear them from you. I have never had any problems with William. He has always behaved properly, in my opinion’,” the German tactician reportedly told Obayiuwana in France.
Troost-Ekong, who made his Super Eagles debut in September 2015, is yet to respond to the allegations.
