Emerging
Jun 23, 2026 Major2
83%
Super Falcons' Plumptre Disowns Fake Facebook Account Claiming NFF Bribery Demand
Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has disowned a verified fake Facebook account that falsely claimed she was excluded from Nigeria's 2026 WAFCON squad after refusing bribery demands from NFF officials. Plumptre clarified the account was not hers on Instagram and X, urging followers to report it.




Quick Facts
Who
Ashleigh Plumptre
What
Fake Facebook account impersonated Plumptre
When
Monday (account post date)
Where
Facebook (fake account)
- Fake Facebook account impersonated Plumptre
- False claims of NFF bribery demands
- Plumptre excluded from WAFCON squad (false claim)
- Plumptre disowned the fake account
- Plumptre urged followers to report the account
Ashleigh Plumptre, a defender for Nigeria's Super Falcons, has publicly disowned a verified Facebook account impersonating her that alleged she was excluded from the squad for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) due to refusing bribery demands from Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials. The fake account, which bore her name and had over 2,000 followers, posted claims that Plumptre was omitted from the team after declining demands from "certain corrupt officials," suggesting she would "step back" if her talent and dedication were insufficient to earn a call-up without such payments.
Plumptre responded swiftly on Tuesday through her verified social media accounts to debunk the false claims. On her Instagram Story, she warned followers that the Facebook account was not hers and urged them to report it, noting the irony that the impersonating page carried Facebook's verification badge. She also posted on her X account, flatly stating "Not at all true," rejecting all allegations about her exclusion or involvement in corruption claims against NFF officials.
The 28-year-old defender emphasized her commitment to her values and highlighted the danger of misinformation in the age of verified social media accounts. Plumptre has previously cautioned supporters about fake accounts impersonating her on Facebook. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about account security on major social platforms and the potential for verified badges to lend false credibility to impersonating pages.
Plumptre, who was born in Leicester, England, has represented Nigeria since 2021 following her decision to play for the Super Falcons due to her Nigerian grandfather. She was among the standout performers when Nigeria won its tenth WAFCON title in 2025.
Why This Matters
This incident highlights the vulnerability of verified social media accounts to impersonation and the spread of false allegations against public figures. For readers, it underscores the importance of verifying information through official channels and demonstrates how misinformation—even when bearing verification badges—can damage reputations and undermine trust in institutions. The case also raises questions about platform accountability in managing verified accounts and protecting athletes from coordinated disinformation campaigns.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2021
WireAshleigh Plumptre opted to play for Nigeria's Super Falcons
Jan 1, 2025
WireSuper Falcons won their 10th WAFCON title with Plumptre as a standout performer
Jun 22, 2026
WireFake Facebook account impersonating Plumptre posted allegations of NFF bribery and her exclusion from WAFCON squad
Jun 23, 2026
WirePlumptre responded via Instagram and X, disowning the fake account and urging followers to report it