Eric Chelle Faces Blackmail Accusations Over Contract Demands with NFF
The future of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has been plunged into fresh controversy following serious allegations from former Gombe State Football Association chairman Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe. The football administrator has openly accused the Malian coach of attempting to blackmail the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with excessive contract demands to secure his position.
Contract Demands Spark Outrage
According to multiple reports, Chelle recently submitted a list of 19 conditions to the NFF as requirements for continuing as national team coach. The most controversial demand involves a dramatic salary increase from his current $50,000 monthly earnings to approximately $130,000 per month. This would represent a 160% pay rise for the coach who is halfway through his initial two-year contract.
Gara-Gombe has vehemently opposed these demands, warning that accepting such terms would be detrimental to Nigerian football. The former Gombe FA boss argues that the Super Eagles' recent third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco should not justify what he describes as unrealistic financial expectations.
Allegations of Exploitation and Fabrication
In a strongly worded statement to The Guardian, Gara-Gombe accused Chelle of attempting to exploit his position with the national team. "Chelle is simply lucky that we win matches thanks to the players' talent, and not his influence," he stated. "We trained him as a coach. We made him an indispensable figure, and now he wants to blackmail us. If we keep him for that amount, Nigeria will regret it."
The football administrator went further to question Chelle's market value, alleging that the coach fabricated interest from European clubs to strengthen his bargaining position. Specifically, Gara-Gombe dismissed claims that French Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille was monitoring Chelle's progress, suggesting these rumors were part of a strategic pressure tactic on the NFF.
Chelle's Recent Success and Divided Opinions
Eric Chelle took charge of the Super Eagles in January 2025 following the dismissal of Finidi George during Nigeria's troubled 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Under his leadership, stability returned to the national team, culminating in their bronze medal finish at the 2025 AFCON tournament.
This achievement has naturally strengthened Chelle's case for a contract extension, with reports also linking him to potential interest from other African nations including Angola and Tunisia. However, the controversy surrounding his alleged demands has created a significant division within Nigerian football circles.
Supporters argue that his AFCON success deserves appropriate reward and recognition, while critics maintain that the NFF must avoid setting a financially unsustainable precedent that could burden Nigerian football for years to come.
NFF's Position and Internal Dynamics
Despite the brewing controversy, NFF's technical committee chairman Sherif Inuwa Ahlan has reportedly assured the federation that Chelle will remain to fulfill the remainder of his current contract. This internal support suggests that while negotiations may be tense, there is still institutional backing for the coach's continued involvement with the Super Eagles.
The situation remains fluid as both sides navigate the delicate balance between rewarding performance and maintaining financial responsibility. With less than one year remaining on his current deal, the coming months will prove crucial in determining whether Eric Chelle continues as Super Eagles head coach or if the NFF decides to pursue alternative leadership for the national team.
