Brown Ideye denies calling for imprisonment of broke retired footballers

Former Super Eagles striker, Brown Ideye, has denied reports claiming he called for the imprisonment of retired footballers who fall into financial hardship.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner came under fire last week after remarks he made during an online discussion were misinterpreted and circulated widely, drawing backlash from fans and pundits.

In a statement released on Sunday and titled “Setting the Record Straight,” the 34-year-old dismissed the reports as false and damaging to his reputation.

“Let me be clear: these statements are completely false and misrepresent my views,” Ideye said. “I would never suggest punitive action towards anyone who struggles financially. My focus has always been on providing support, resources, training, and mentorship programmes to help players transition from active football into life after the game.”

He stressed that issues around players’ welfare must be approached with empathy rather than condemnation, urging the media to refrain from spreading unfounded claims that could tarnish his image.

“This article is misleading of my person and character, and I strongly condemn it. I urge the public to disregard it and call on the media to desist from such false claims, as these stories only cause harm and sow unnecessary discord,” he added.

On social media, Ideye also cautioned against misinterpretations, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “School is not a scam, try to learn how to read and understand the whole story before jumping into conclusions.”

The controversy stemmed from his recent advice to younger footballers to prioritise savings and financial planning from the start of their careers. His comments came shortly after former defender Taribo West accused football authorities of neglecting retired Nigerian players during the funeral of ex-goalkeeper Peter Rufai.

“Footballers, start saving for your future from day one. No matter how small your salary is, put something aside for retirement,” Ideye advised, stressing the importance of financial discipline and building strong support systems.

However, one line from the online conversation “They should be jailed for life if, after retirement, they can’t feed themselves” was taken out of context and widely reported, sparking the backlash.

Ideye, who recently announced his retirement from international football, reiterated that his advocacy is focused on empowering players, not punishing them.