The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has imposed a strict deadline on football clubs in Nigeria facing complaints related to overdue payables and breaches of contract. Specifically, clubs have until Monday, October 14, 2024, to address these issues; failure to do so will result in the indefinite withdrawal of licenses for their new player signings. This decision has emerged from a pressing need to ensure financial responsibility and compliance with regulations within the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), reflecting a commitment to upholding the integrity of the league and protecting the interests of players.
Initially, the NPFL had granted the affected clubs an extension until Friday, October 11, in accordance with directives from the NFF Players Status Committee. Clubs in violation of payment agreements and contract terms have been identified, comprising Heartland, 3SC, Bendel Insurance, Kwara United, Lobi Stars, El-Kanemi, Abia Warriors, Enyimba, Katsina United, and Akwa United. By setting this deadline, the NFF hopes to encourage these clubs to come into compliance and resolve outstanding financial disputes peacefully rather than resorting to more severe penalties.
Among the clubs listed, Heartland faces multiple complaints concerning overdue payables and contract breaches involving several stakeholders, including their coach and various players. Notable individuals in this case include Coach Kennedy Boboye and players such as Ezekiel Bassey and Itodo Ocheme. Similarly, other clubs like 3SC, Bendel Insurance, and Kwara United are also grappling with similar issues, with common disputes involving players like Sikiru Alimi and Adekunle Ayobami Samuel. The prevalence of these complaints indicates a systemic issue in player remuneration and contract adherence across several teams in the league.
Specific monetary claims have been highlighted as unresolved in arbitration processes for clubs like Abia Warriors, Enyimba, and Katsina United. For instance, Abia Warriors has notable disputes involving players with claims totaling millions of Naira, including a significant N5 million claim from Victor Alegbe. Enyimba has similar unresolved claims with players amounting to N6.2 million, while Katsina United’s disputes involve several coaching staff members with total claims exceeding N8 million. The situation underscores the financial pressures impacting club operations and the need for adherence to contractual obligations.
The landscape of contract disputes is not limited to the aforementioned clubs. Lobi Stars and Kwara United are also embroiled in arbitration cases, with claims linked to Christian Nwokedi and John Obuh respectively, and Akwa United faces an outstanding revalidated claim accumulating to N47 million from a previous arbitration decision dating back to 2015. These financial obligations highlight the complexities involved in club finances and the importance of resolving these disputes to ensure stability and continuity within the league.
In essence, the NFF’s move serves as a wakeup call to clubs within the NPFL to prioritize financial compliance and rectify any outstanding disputes to avoid significant penalties such as the withdrawal of player licenses. The looming deadline of October 14, 2024, is a clear reflection of the federation’s commitment to enforcing standards within Nigerian football, promoting a professional environment where players’ rights are respected, and clubs are held accountable for their financial dealings.
