Bayelsa United have denied reports suggesting they are holding tight to the Aiteo Cup trophy over the inability of the Nigeria Football Federation to remit the domestic cup’s prize money to the Prosperity Boys, Completesports.com reports.
The media recently went haywire with report that the cup holders have refused to return the trophy they won in 2021 to the organisers.
The second tier domestic league side shocked football followers last year with a 4-3 penalty kicks win against title favourites, Nasarawa United on August 8 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City to win the 2021 Aiteo Cup.
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They were thus entitled to N25m prize money, but that has not been redeemed by NFF, Completesports.com understands.
Chairman of Bayelsa United, Ebiki Timitimi, said the club was yet to receive any official request demanding the return of the Aiteo Cup trophy.
“It’s not true that we’ve refused to return the trophy to NFF,” the club boss said.
“As we speak right now, Bayelsa United have not received any correspondence from the NFF requesting us to return the trophy.
“As far as we’re concerned, the report is a fake news,” Timitimi insisted, and cautioned ‘fake news’ merchants to always verify their information from the club before putting it out to the public for consumption.
“Bayelsa United as a club have written to the NFF demanding for the payment of the N25m (twenty five million naira) of the Aiteo Cup winning prize money but the NFF has yet to keep to thier promise after one year for both teams; Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens”.
The Bayelsa United boss disclosed that they are focused in their quest to return to the domestic top flight, NPFL, and as a result don’t want to be distracted at this crucial moment of the NNL which has only two games before the end of the season.
Bayelsa United are top on the NNL B2 Conference standings and would travel to Nnewi United this weekend before closing the campaign with a home match against Cynosure FC.
He commended Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri and his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, for the unending support the club has been receiving and assured them of the club’s resolve to return to the NPFL.
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