Ashleigh Plumptre Denies Bribery Claims Against NFF
Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has dismissed allegations that she accused Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials of demanding bribes. She stated that the accusations originated from a fake Facebook account impersonating her.
How the Rumors Spread
A Facebook page bearing her name claimed she had been omitted from Nigeria’s squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations because she reportedly refused to meet demands from “corrupt officials.” The post also suggested she was considering stepping back from international football.
The story quickly gained traction on social media, prompting widespread discussion among fans. Despite doubts about its authenticity, the account — which appears verified and has over 2,000 followers — continued to attract engagement.
Plumptre’s Response
On June 23, Plumptre moved to distance herself from the claims. Using her verified Instagram account, which has more than 130,000 followers, she urged supporters to report and block the fraudulent Facebook pages.
“Please report and block these fake Facebook accounts. They’re running riot for real. I don’t even use Facebook,” she wrote.
Her statement effectively ended speculation that she had leveled any bribery accusations against NFF officials.
About Ashleigh Plumptre
Born in Leicester, England, Plumptre chose to represent Nigeria through her Nigerian grandfather and made her Super Falcons debut in 2021. She featured at the 2022 WAFCON tournament, where Nigeria finished fourth after a 1‑0 loss to Zambia in the third‑place match.
The former Leicester City defender also played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s run to the Round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. After missing the Paris 2024 Olympic Games due to injury, she returned to international duty and was part of the Super Falcons squad that reclaimed the WAFCON title later that year in Morocco.
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