National Association of Nigerian Professional Footballers (NANPF), has commended the League Management Company on its decision to place a two- year ban on NPFL side, Heartland FC of Owerri, not to participate in the coming transfer seasons.
According to a statement by LMC, Heartland defaulted in payment of salaries and bonuses, as well as, the unlawful termination of the contracts of two of its players in the ongoing NPFL season.
The ruling was premised on the two separate petitions of complaints of unlawful termination of contract and indebtedness filed by two former players of the club Madubuachi Okereke and Fatuwase Olusegun. LMC ordered the club to pay N10.4m and N6.25m to Okereke and Fatuwase respectively, bothering on claims of overdue payables, wrongful termination of contract and compensation.
According to a release signed by the General Secretary of NANPF, Comrade Austin Popo, the decision of the LMC is a strong statement to other clubs who are indebted to their players and officials to do the needful concerning the payables.
“As the players union, we advise other players with cases of indebtedness by clubs to come forward to the union with their complaints for us to offer them the needed assistance, in terms of protection, welfare and getting what is due to them, ” Popo advised.
” The players union praised the LMC for weilding the big stick and sending a strong statement to other clubs. Once again, we remain committed to the welfare and betterness of Nigerian footballers home and diaspora,” he assured.
