Seven weeks after the conclusion of hearings by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Players’ Status and Arbitration Committee (PSAC), affected players, coaches, clubs and agents are still anxiously awaiting official decisions, Sports247 reports.
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Hearing on the various contractual disputes, the hearings was concluded between February 26th and March 1st, 2025 in Abuja.
The PSAC convened to deliberate on unresolved issues between over 15 players, 3 coaches, and over 20 clubs across the Nigeria Premier Football League. The clubs involved in the arbitration include:
Abia Warriors, Wikki Tourists, Akwa United, Lobi Stars, Niger Tornadoes, Plateau United, Shooting Stars (3SC), and Bendel Insurance.
Other clubs involved are Sunshine Stars, Heartland FC, Doma United, Rivers Angels FC
, Jay 1 Football Academy, Edel FC, Gateway FC and others.
While the respondent clubs appear to have resumed their regular football activities, many of the claimants, largely players and coaches whose contracts were reportedly violated—remain in limbo, with no official rulings to show for their efforts and legal expenses.
One player, who spoke anonymously, expressed deep frustration over the continued silence from the NFF: “I’ve been in constant touch with my legal representative, but he keeps telling me the NFF is yet to release the decision. During the arbitration, Wikki Tourists agreed to start paying me by the end of March 2025, but now April is ending, and I haven’t received a dime. Without the official ruling, even enforcement through league sanctions cannot proceed.”
An insider at the NFF told our reporter that the PSAC decisions had already been approved by the committee’s chairman and members and were simply awaiting formal release by the office of the NFF General Secretary.
“Early release of decisions is crucial because timelines begin to count from the moment clubs receive them. Also, for those considering appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the 21-days appeal window must be respected,” the source added.
Eddie Iseri Ogbemudia, a FIFA licensed football agent who also filed claims during the arbitration hearings, shared his own concerns.
“I represented some clients before the committee and I must commend the Chairman and members of the committee for the sacrifice. In one of their sitting the case I went for was called when it’s already passed 6pm, and these gentlemen started meeting at around 8am.
“Standard operation of Dispute Resolution Chambers like the NFF PSAC are quite easy and straight forward all over the world. Like in FIFA cases, decisions are usually issued within 48 to 72 business hours after hearings”
“It’s this another method to delay enforcement like was done in the Abia Warriors judgment case which is still pending till date and the club allowed to register new players? Time shall tell.” Mr. Ogbemudia concluded
For many of the players involved, the uncertainty is not just administrative, it’s deeply personal.
One player, who filed a claim against Abia Warriors, said:
“All I can do now is pray. I believe I have a strong case, but I’m worried about enforcement. Some of my former teammates who won cases against the same club last year haven’t been paid fully, and the club continues to compete in the league without sanctions.”
Another player remained cautiously optimistic:
“My representative has been on top of things since the beginning. I’m still hopeful. It’s frustrating, but as we say, at all at all na im bad pass. We’re waiting.”
As the weeks drag on, the lack of transparency and accountability threatens to undermine the credibility of NFF’s arbitration process—leaving many stakeholders to question whether justice delayed will eventually become justice denied.
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