Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs have been issued a stern warning that their participation in the upcoming 2023/24 season hangs in the balance if they are found to be in debt to players and club officials.
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The NPFL Board’s Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, reinforced this stance through a memorandum titled “Re-Financial Requirements of Club Licensing Regulation.”
In the memo dated August 23, Owumi emphasized the NPFL’s commitment to enforcing the existing provisions of the Financial Requirements of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) pertaining to outstanding payments to players and club officials.
Owumi reminded all 20 clubs of a prior communication on the matter, underlining that registration for the upcoming season would only be finalized upon submission of credible evidence of compliance with the financial obligations.
The step has been taken to address cases of financial indebtedness that some clubs have incurred towards their players and officials.
The NPFL’s decision reflects their determination to rectify these issues and ensure that players and officials are not left unpaid.
Owumi’s memo outlined a course of action for clubs that have faced NFF Arbitration panel adjudications. Such clubs were encouraged to liaise with NPFL Registration schedule officers and provide proof of compliance or letters confirming mutual consent settlements.
For clubs that have substantiated records of indebtedness, a strict stance was outlined: they would be prohibited from registering new players.
This move aligns with the regulations stipulated in the Club Licensing Regulations, indicating the NPFL’s resolve to hold clubs accountable for their financial commitments.
In recent times, reports have surfaced of players taking drastic actions, such as seizing club vehicles, due to unpaid financial entitlements.
Such incidents have underscored the urgency of addressing these financial discrepancies within the league.
As the NPFL approaches the upcoming season, the spotlight is on clubs to promptly address any outstanding dues to players and club officials.
This announcement serves as a proactive measure to maintain financial transparency, ensure fair treatment of players, and uphold the league’s reputation as a professional sporting organization.
