Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has refuted media reports claiming he called for retired footballers who go broke to be jailed.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner faced backlash last week after comments he made during an online debate were widely circulated, with many accusing him of being insensitive to the struggles of ex-players.
In a statement released on Sunday titled Setting the Record Straight, Ideye dismissed the reports as false and a misrepresentation of his views.
“Let me be clear: these statements are completely false and misrepresent my position,” he said. “I would never suggest punitive action against anyone struggling financially. My stance has always been about supporting athletes with resources, training, and mentorship to help them transition after retirement.”
He stressed that conversations about footballers’ welfare should be rooted in empathy, not condemnation.
Calling the reports “damaging” and “misleading,” Ideye urged the media to avoid false attributions, while asking the public to disregard such claims. “These kinds of stories only bring disrepute and sow discord,” he said.
On social media, he further cautioned against misinterpretations: “School is not a scam. Learn to read and understand the whole story before jumping into conclusions.”
The controversy stemmed from his earlier advice urging active players to save money from the start of their careers. That comment came after ex-defender Taribo West’s emotional outburst at the burial of late goalkeeper Peter Rufai, where West accused authorities of neglecting Nigerian football legends.
While encouraging financial discipline among players, Ideye’s response to a follower — “They should be jailed for life if, after they retired from playing, they can’t feed themselves” — was seized upon and misrepresented in reports.
The 34-year-old, who recently retired from international football, remains one of Nigeria’s most experienced forwards, having played at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and lifted the AFCON title in 2013.
