The football world is often awash with rumours and misinformation, especially when it comes to high-profile appointments and resignations. Recently, social media has been buzzing with a claim that German coach Bruno Labbadia rejected an offer to become the head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles due to alleged threats from Nigerian politicians demanding a share of his salary.
This article, as reported by PulseNets, delves into the origins of this claim, examines the facts, and ultimately exposes the falsehood behind the narrative.
Understanding the Allegation
The controversy began when multiple social media users, including participants on platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Nairaland, shared posts suggesting that Bruno Labbadia turned down the Super Eagles coaching role because certain Nigerian politicians and senators demanded 10% of his monthly salary. Additionally, these posts claimed that Labbadia cited threats to his life as a reason for rejecting the position.
A particular statement, allegedly attributed to Labbadia, was circulated widely:
“I quit Nigeria job just four days after my appointment. Some senators and politicians threatened to make life miserable for me if I don’t give them 10% of my monthly salary. Corruption in Nigeria system is unbelievable.”
This statement was shared extensively on social media, accompanied by a manipulated front-page screenshot from The Nation Newspaper, which appeared to substantiate the claim.
Investigating the Source of the Rumor
Social Media Proliferation
PulseNets learned that the claim gained significant traction over the weekend, with anonymous posts appearing in popular Facebook groups such as TVC News and Arise News TV. These posts included the aforementioned statement and a partial screenshot purportedly from The Nation Newspaper. A prominent X user, boasting hundreds of thousands of followers, also shared the claim, though the post was later deleted.
The doctored screenshot seemed intentionally designed to mislead readers into believing that The Nation Newspaper had reported on Labbadia’s alleged statement. This strategy, coupled with the viral nature of social media, allowed the misinformation to spread rapidly.
Fact-Checking the Allegations
A comprehensive investigation by PulseNets focused on several key areas to verify the authenticity of the claim:
- The Nation Newspaper: PulseNets spoke to sources at The Nation, confirming that the original report, dated Saturday, contained no statement or implication that Labbadia rejected the Super Eagles job due to threats or demands from Nigerian politicians. Instead, the report, citing the German sports platform Kicker, indicated that Labbadia’s rejection stemmed from the “hasty announcement by the NFF’s leadership.”
- Kicker’s Report: The report from Kicker, which was referenced by The Nation, made no mention of any threats or demands. It emphasized that Labbadia’s decision was influenced by issues related to German tax laws and the premature announcement by the NFF, rather than political interference.
- Nigerianewspapers.net: A report published by www.nigerianewspapers.net, based on an update from the NFF on X, clarified that Labbadia turned down the position due to unresolved tax-related matters, not because of threats from politicians. PulseNets confirmed that this explanation aligns with the facts.
- Google Reverse Image Search: A reverse image search conducted by PulseNets on the alleged screenshot from The Nation’s front page revealed it to be a doctored image, further discrediting the claim.
Analysis of the False Claim
PulseNets reported that the assertion that Labbadia rejected the Super Eagles job due to threats from Nigerian politicians is entirely unfounded. No credible news outlet, whether Nigerian or foreign, has reported any such statement from Labbadia. Moreover, the manipulated screenshot used to support the claim is a clear example of how misinformation can be propagated through altered images and social media.
Also Read: Super Eagles: NFF Appoints German, Labbadia New Head Coach
The true reason for the failed agreement, as confirmed by multiple sources, including The Nation and Kicker, was a disagreement over tax-related issues between Labbadia and the NFF. There is no evidence to suggest that Nigerian politicians were involved in any way.
Conclusion
PulseNets has confirmed that the claim regarding Bruno Labbadia rejecting the Super Eagles coaching position due to threats and demands from Nigerian politicians is false. This case underscores the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking before accepting and sharing news, especially on social media. The narrative was likely fabricated to tarnish the image of the Nigerian Football Federation and its interactions with international coaches.
