Lagos — The Nigeria Football Federation yesterday denied globacom Limited's accusation that it had lied against the latter, who is the sponsor company of its leagues, in the matter concerning the amount of money that the telecom company was owing the Federation as rights fee for sponsorship of the national teams this year.

In a statement, the NFF said: "We are upset to read a statement in the media in which globacom claimed that our marketing chief lied. He did not. The truth is that Globacom has not paid for its rights fee of sponsorship of the national teams this year.

"The agreement that was signed with Globacom says they can pay the amount of N150 million in two installments, in the months of February and September, not at any time of their choice within a calendar year.

"The N80 million that was referred to in their statement was originally meant for sponsorship of the Nigeria Women's League. That is the truth. We have not formally received any amount from them for the national teams.

"And in case they have decided to convert that money to part -payment of the rights fee for sponsorship of the national teams, they still have not met the contractual terms, which states that they pay the final installment by the end of September of a given calendar year. We are now in the month of November.

"The Nigeria Football Federation does not enjoy a situation of going to the media for matters involving its partners/sponsors, but this clarification has become necessary in view of the language employed by globacom," concluded the statement, signed by NFF's Assistant General Secretary (Finance and Administration), Alhaji Musbau Kayode.