Sports
Izu’s father reacts, ‘Stop blackmailing my family, 3SC only paid 284,800 to my account
Reuben Izu Martin, father of the ex-slain Shooting Starts Sports Club (3SC), Ibadan, Joseph Izu, has debunked a claim by the club that it has paid six months salary arrears of the deceased into his account.
Izu, on Thursday through a statement disclosed that the management of Shooting Stars Football Club has paid the sum of N142,400 twice into his account and not six months as been claimed by the club.
The late Joseph Izu, an indigene of Rivers State while holidaying was allegedly killed by some soldiers in Bayelsa state over a year ago.
Pa Reuben Izu while responding to a claim by 3SC management that it has paid the family for six months, noted that the need to put the record straight became necessary because it is the custom of the club to find a cosmetic solution to their request immediately after a public outcry like this .
“I, Mr. Reuben izu Martin father to late Izu Joseph wish to let the public know that the management of Shooting Stars football Club has paid the sum of N142,400 twice into my account and not six months as been claimed by the club.
“This is the 2nd time they are doing it and it appears it is done immediately after a public outcry as regards the way they have treated my son, Joseph Izu’s finance since his death.
“I called Balogun the GM to explain that amount payed when he is been owed in millions, and Balogun sent a text that the money is made up of salaries, bonuses and others and promised to send the breakdown when he gets to Ibadan as he is taking care of his sick son, and up till now no information from him”. he explained.
He stressed that the family is not begging for money but requesting for the money their departed son worked for before he was killed.
“We are not begging Shooting Stars for any kind of money, but for what my son worked for before he was killed”.
Also, he said what the family want is nothing but justice from the soldiers who killed their son and from the 3SC management.
“At this point, the family wants justice for Izu from the soldiers who killed him as well as Shooting Stars to pay his dues.
Making further clarification, Pa Reuben Izu enjoined the 3SC management to stop blackmailing the family especially, a brother to the deceased, Mr. Reuben Izu Jnr simply because he was fighting for his late brother.
“I need to know why Shooting Stars is blackmailing my son simply because he is fighting for his late brother. My son, Reuben Izu Jnr. has never wanted his late brothers money to be paid to him, he is mandated by me on behalf of the family to ensure that 3SC pays salaries owed my son.
“I call on the oyo State government to investigate the club management as they have clearly shown unprofessionalism in handling my son Izu’s finance.
“I don’t know why its so difficult for 3SC to furnish the family with details of debt profile to late IZU Joseph. Instead of paying an amount without any narrative. I spoke with the COO of the LMC on this issue last week in Jos during the AGA of NFF.
“Responding to his question on the exact amount of late IZU Joseph salary, I told him that from the records we have in his contract with the LMC, is about 400,000 monthly.
“He told me that the issue is that in most cases the amount in the contract with the LMC is different from the one they signed with the Clubs. The Union has also written to the LMC to compel 3SC to furnish them with details of the actual amount owed IZU in terms of outstanding salaries and match allowances .
“The club is yet to respond. The LMC has equally assured that monies due 3SC will not be paid to them until this issue and others are sorted out”.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the appointment of German tactician Bruno Labbadia as the new Head Coach of Nigeria’s Senior Men’s National Team, the Super Eagles.
This development was announced by the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, in the early hours of Tuesday, following the approval of the NFF Executive Committee based on a recommendation from its Technical and Development Sub-Committee. Labbadia’s appointment takes immediate effect.
Born on 8th February 1966 in Darmstadt, Germany, Labbadia enjoyed a distinguished playing career, earning two caps for the German national team. His club career included stints at prominent clubs such as Darmstadt 98, Hamburger SV, FC Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich, FC Cologne, Werder Bremen, Arminia Bielefeld, and Karlsruher SC. Notably, he won the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in 1994.
Labbadia’s coaching career has seen him manage top-tier clubs such as Hertha Berlin, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, and Bayer Leverkusen, among others. He holds a UEFA Pro License and is well-regarded for his tactical acumen.
With his appointment, Labbadia becomes the sixth German to lead the Super Eagles, following in the footsteps of Karl-Heinz Marotzke, Gottlieb Göller, Manfred Höner, Berti Vogts, and Gernot Rohr. Höner notably guided the Super Eagles to a runner-up finish at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, while Rohr qualified Nigeria for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Labbadia’s immediate task is to prepare the Super Eagles for their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches.
Nigeria will face Benin Republic on Saturday, 7th September in Uyo, and Rwanda on Tuesday, 10th September in Kigali. The team will also play four additional qualifying matches in October and November as they aim to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON, scheduled to be held from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The Super Eagles, placed in Group D, will face familiar foes Benin Republic, who recently defeated Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The draw for the AFCON qualifiers, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, last month, also sees Nigeria taking on Libya and Rwanda, both of whom are also part of the Super Eagles’ group for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers set to be hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Labbadia’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the Super Eagles look to regain their dominance on the African continent and secure qualification for both the AFCON and the World Cup.
Finidi George has stepped into a new role as the technical manager for NPFL side, Rivers United, following his resignation as coach of the Super Eagles.
During his brief tenure with the Eagles, George’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in Uyo and a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in Abidjan cast doubts on Nigeria’s World Cup qualification, prompting calls from fans for his dismissal.
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Nevertheless, Rivers United, the 2021-22 champions, expressed optimism in a statement on Wednesday via their official handle about having the former Eagles international manage their team.
“Finidi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team, having had a distinguished playing career spanning over fifteen years,” the statement read.
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Dr. Okey Kpalukwu, General Manager of Rivers United FC, welcomed George, stating, “We are delighted to have Finidi George join our team. His appointment marks a new chapter in our club’s history, and we are committed to working together to achieve success.”
Expressing his gratitude to the club, an elated George remarked, “I am honored to have this opportunity, and I thank the Sports Commissioner, the General Manager, and the supporters for their confidence in me. I am committed to working hard and making the team win.”
Inter Milan were taken over by US fund Oaktree on Wednesday after the Serie A champions’ outgoing owners Suning missed a deadline to repay a debt worth hundred of millions of euros.
In a statement, Oaktree announced they had “assumed control” of Inter after the non-repayment of a “three-year loan to Inter Milan’s holding companies that matured on 21 May 2024 with a total balance due of approximately 395 million euros ($428 million)”.
Chinese conglomerate Suning have relinquished control of Inter to Oaktree three days after the team were officially crowned Italian champions for the 20th time.
Suning borrowed 275 million euros at over 12 percent interest three years ago to pay staff and players as the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged the finances of clubs across Europe, putting up their controlling stake in the club as collateral.
“Oaktree is dedicated to achieving the best outcome for the long-term prosperity of Inter Milan, with an initial focus on operational and financial stability for the Club and its stakeholders,” Oaktree continued.
Inter became a powerful force at home and abroad after Suning acquired the club in 2016, with seven trophies including two Serie A titles and two European finals.
Simone Inzaghi’s team cruised to this year’s championship, winning the Scudetto with five matches remaining by beating AC Milan in a thrilling local derby.
Oaktree, which manages $192 billion in assets, said they are “committed to working closely with Inter Milan’s current management team, partners, the league and governing bodies to ensure the Club is positioned for success on and off the pitch”.
Inter ended up in the hands of Oaktree in a manner similar to the way another US fund, Elliott Management, took control of their local rivals Milan in 2018.
Elliott became Milan’s owners when Chinese businessman Li Yonghong was unable to repay a loan he had taken out when he bought the club from the late Silvio Berlusconi’s Fininvest the previous year.
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