Brown Ideye Says Broke Retired Players Should be Jailed — But Should They?
Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has sparked intense debate with a tough stance: retired footballers who struggle financially should face jail time.
He took to social media to urge current players to treat finances seriously from day one. According to him, no salary is too small to start saving for life after the game. He even suggested that players who can’t support themselves after hanging up their boots “should be jailed for life” — a statement that has inflamed passions on both sides of the debate.
The timing of his remarks amplified their impact. Ideye’s comments took place shortly after former defender Taribo West gave a heart-wrenching speech at the funeral of ex-keeper Peter Rufai. West criticized the Nigerian Football Federation and Lagos State Government for ignoring the welfare of retired football legends and shared painful stories of grieving families privately begging for support.
Unsurprisingly, reactions on social media have been mixed. Some praised Ideye’s call for professional accountability and foresight. Others condemned his remarks as harsh and lacking compassion. Many argue that systemic issues—lack of structured pension plans, poor financial education, and minimal post-career support—are far more responsible for the struggles of aging stars than personal failure alone.
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