By Enitan Abdultawab
Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre described the viral verified Facebook page peddling fake news about her as frustrating and unsettling.
The defender further dismissed reports claiming she was dropped from Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), describing the stories as completely false and the product of a fake Facebook page impersonating her.
In a personal statement released on Thursday, Plumptre revealed that a Facebook account bearing a verified blue tick had been spreading fabricated claims about her alleged exclusion from the national team.
According to the Leicester-born defender, the page falsely claimed that she had been left out of the Super Falcons squad after refusing to comply with demands allegedly made by corrupt football officials.
“None of it is true. I want to be absolutely clear about that,” Plumptre stated.
The defender said fake accounts using her name and image are not new but noted that the latest incident crossed a line because of the credibility associated with the verified badge.
“Fake accounts using my name and image on Facebook are not new to me. I have been dealing with this for many years as a professional football player. It has always been frustrating and deeply unsettling, but yesterday took things to a completely different level,” she said.
Plumptre expressed appreciation to the Super Falcons communications team for publicly addressing the misinformation and thanked those who rallied behind her following the incident.
“I want to personally thank the Super Falcons Communications Team for stepping in publicly about this fake news,” she said.
She also singled out Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade and her teammates for their support.
“I want to thank my captain Rasheedat Ajibade OON for using her own platform to protect mine. I want to thank my teammates who reposted and rallied without hesitation,” Plumptre added.
The 27-year-old disclosed that she and her team have begun formal processes to have the verified Facebook page reported and removed.
“My team and I are now formally going through the process to have this verified fake page reported and taken down as quickly as possible. We are taking this seriously, and we will not stop until it is gone,” she said.
Plumptre further clarified that her only official social media platforms are Instagram and LinkedIn, warning fans against engaging with other accounts using her identity.
“In the meantime, I urge everyone reading this: my only social media platforms are Instagram at @ashleighplumptre and LinkedIn. Those are the only two places you will ever find me online. Anything else using my name is not me.”
She also appealed to supporters to help report the fake Facebook page, stressing that every report would contribute to efforts to have it removed.
The statement comes amid preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where the Super Falcons will be aiming to extend their record as Africa’s most successful women’s national team.
