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Broke retired players should be jailed, Brown Ideye warned.
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He urged footballers to save and plan wisely for life after football.
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His remarks sparked fresh debate on player welfare.
Former Super Eagles forward Brown Ideye, who just resigned from international football, warned footballers to take their finances seriously, saying those who end up broke after retirement “should be jailed for life.”
Also Read: Taribo Under Fire Over Role in Rufai Burial
On his official X account, the former striker for Olympiacos and Dynamo Kyiv encouraged players to treat their earnings as if they were a lifelong wage acquired over a few years.
“Footballers, start saving for your future from day one. No matter how small your salary is, put something aside for your retirement,” – Ideye wrote.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner also told players to surround themselves with trustworthy people and build a solid support system before their careers end.
The 36-year-old said that after a contentious online discussion concerning players who don’t make smart investments.
A follower argued that professionals who played in Europe have little excuse not to secure their finances; Ideye shot back:
“They should be jailed for life if, after they retired from playing, they can’t feed themselves.”
The row erupted after ex-defender Taribo West spoke emotionally at the burial of late goalkeeper Peter Rufai.
West accused the Nigeria Football Federation and Lagos State Government of abandoning past stars and said families of icons such as Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini and Thompson Oliha struggled after their deaths.
“Could you imagine that the family would be crying just to solicit within our groups to ask for money? That is madness,” – he said in a video posted by News Central.
The conversation has rekindled discussions about institutional support, financial education, and player welfare.
Some readers back Ideye’s tough message; others say clubs and unions must also create pensions, education and safety nets to protect players after retirement.
