Nigeria Sports Arena

Rangers International FC and the club Secretary, Elder Joseph Onwukwe has been charged with infractions of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Rules and Framework in the course of mediation proceedings in the dispute between the club and its former coach, Imama Amapakabo.   The League Management Company (LMC) has subsequently levied sanctions on the club and the official with Rangers fined N5m and Onwukwe banned from all NPFL activities for a period of one year.   The LMC also directed Rangers to pay the sacked Coach various sums including N14,560,000 representing his salaries for April to October 2017 and compensation for wrongful termination, N1,600,000 representing his  salary for November and December 2016, N600,000 which represents arrears of allowances and bonuses and $725 which is international travel allowance owed Amapakabo.   Onwukwe was charged for breaches of Appendix E1.5, Appendix E1.4 (Code of Conduct for Club Officials), C28 and...

Akwa United striker Musa Newman, Shedrack Asiegbu of Abia Warriors and the NPFL leading scorer and MFM FC striker Stephen Odey have emerged as the men in the running for the VAT Wonder Goal 6. The three goals were among 18 scored on Matchday 25. Newman's goal was Akwa United's second in a 2-0 win over Katsina United while Asiegbu's strike was the first of his brace in a tight contest with league leaders Plateau United which his club Abia Warriors triumphed 2-1. The goal scored by Odey for MFM against Kano Pillars temporarily put the game at 1-1 and later represented scant consolation as Pillars ran out 3-1 winners. The build-up to Asiegbu's goal began with a throw-in on the right channel of Abia Warriors' attack. Yakub Hammed threw the ball to Sunday Adetunji who shielded it nicely at the edge of Plateau United's box before cushioning it to Uche Ihuarulam whose intended cross took a deflection off the back of Plateau United's Jimmy Ambrose. The ball the...

Gombe United came under grave reprimand and financial sanctions by the League Management Company (LMC) for various breaches of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Framework and Rules arising from disruptive conduct of their supporters and officials in a rescheduled Match Day 19 fixture against Rangers International. The LMC in a separate letter to goalkeeper Emmanuel Fabiyi of Gombe United sympathised with him for the assault by the club supporters but also warned him against making comments in the media that portray the league in bad light and reminded him of the rules guiding public utterances of players and officials In a summary jurisdiction notice issued the club late Friday, Gombe United were cited for breach of Rules B.13.18, C9 and C1. Supporters of the club were adjudged to have thrown objects towards the field of play including stones hurled at a player of Rangers international during the match and which amounted to a breach of Rule B13.18 punishable under Ru...

  The League Management Company (LMC) in partnership with over the counter securities market operator, NASD Securities Exchange took a major step towards bringing private sector investment into the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) when on Monday, March 13; financial advisors were invited to bid for appointment to work with eight of the 20 NPFL Clubs shortlisted for the pilot project.    The financial advisors are to serve as consultants that will prepare the clubs to meet regulatory requirements for enlistment in the stock market and be eligible to attract investment either through being publicly quoted or attract direct financial investment from individuals or investment groups.   In making the process open and to attract the best industry experts, the LMC placed advertisement in two influential national newspapers, Thisday and Businessday on Monday, March 13 calling for expression of interest from qualified investment advisory experts.   Documents d...

The New Media Journalist (NMJ) has wished Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs competing in the 2017 season the best. A total of ten matches would take place in the match day one of the new NPFL campaign this weekend. Former NPFL champions Kano Pillars host FC Ifeanyi Ubah at the Sani Abacha Stadium in what promises to be a spectacle on Saturday. Games would take place on Sunday, with two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC, reigning NPFL champions Enugu Rangers, Rivers United, Sunshine Stars, Wikki Tourists, Lobi Stars, Abia Warriors, Remo Stars, Plateau United, MFM FC, Gombe United, Katsina United, Niger Tornadoes, ABS FC, Akwa United, Shooting Stars and Elkanemi Warriors in action. "The New Media Journalists (NMJ) would like to wish the 20 teams involved in the 2017 NPFL campaign all the best. It is encouraging to see so many teams involved in the competition," NMJ Protocol member Jane Nweze said. "We are urging all the clubs to maintain di...

A sum of N200,000,000 has been earmarked by the League Management Company (LMC) board for all the participating clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2015/16 season. Below is the breakdown of the N200,000,000 for all the 20 teams in the  NPFL. Final Teams Position: 1. N40,000,000 2. N30,000,000 3. N20,000,000 4. N10,000,000 5. N8,400,000 6. N7,800,000 7. N7,600,000 8. N7,400,00 9. N7,200,000 10. N7,000,000 11. N6,800,000 12. N6,600,000 13. N6,400,000 14. N6,000,000 15. N5,600,000 16. N5,200,000 17. N5,000,000 18. N4,800,000 19. N4,200,000 20. N4,000,000 Grand Total:             N200,000,000 Source: Mohammed Ameenu.

Champions of the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season stand to win N40m from the Merit Award of the League Management Company (LMC). Rangers International of Enugu and Rivers United of Port Harcourt are the two clubs in contention for the big prize money from a total of N200m pool set aside by the LMC as reward for final position on the league table  at the end of the season on Sunday. Last season, the highest payout from the Merit Award which went to Enyimba International was N30m from a total pool of N150m and this year’s figure of N200m represents an increase of 25%. The Merit Award pool has been witnessing an annual progression from N50m in 2012/13 to N75m in 2013/14 season and now N200m. The top three Clubs on the final table usually received the chunk of the Merit Award which supports the clubs financially in their preparation for the CAF Club competitions the next season.   According to figures released by the LMC, the champions would hav...

Champions of the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season stand to win N40m from the Merit Award of the League Management Company (LMC). Rangers International of Enugu and Rivers United of Port Harcourt are the two clubs in contention for the big prize money from a total of N200m pool set aside by the LMC as reward for final position on the league table at the end of the season on Sunday. Last season, the highest payout from the Merit Award which went to Enyimba International was N30m from a total pool of N150m and this year’s figure of N200m represents an increase of 25%. The Merit Award pool has been witnessing an annual progression from N50m in 2012/13 to N75m in 2013/14 season and now N200m. The top three Clubs on the final table usually received the chunk of the Merit Award which supports the clubs financially in their preparation for the CAF Club competitions the next season. According to figures released by the LMC, the champions would have received ...

The Court of Appeal, Jos Division which sat on Monday has directed that there should be no attempt to tamper with the subject matter of the appeal file by the League Management Company (LMC) against the orders of Justice I.I. Kunda of the Plateau State High Court, Jos. This is even as the Inspector General of Police on Monday increased Police presence at the premises of the LMC to protect the staff and its activities.   In a related matter, the Court of Appeal also resolved the issue of who can make legal appearance for NFF. The court ruled that Barrister Maduabuchi who was appointed by Yahaya Adama, an ally if Chris Giwa , cannot claim to be representing NFF when their group is still battling in court to prove their claim at the Supreme Court.   Justice Kunda had amongst several rulings ordered the LMC to reinstate Giwa FC in the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and also the committal to prison of LMC Chairman, Shehu Dikko and Salihu Abubakar, the...

The League Management Company (LMC) said its operations have been wholly funded from privately generated income and zero government financial contribution. Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the LMC disclosed this and other initiatives of the league body when he appeared as guest on Africa Independent Television (AIT) morning show, Kaakaki and explained that the LMC would love to see government involved in the area of infrastructure upgrade while gradually divesting from club funding. "Since the LMC came on board, our funding has been sourced from commercial partnerships which is the practice globally and while we appreciate the companies that have bought rights from us, we are still not where we should be financially which explains our recent visit with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to the Nigeria Stock Exchange", Dikko said on the program. Continuing on government's role in football, the LMC Chairman said "in the 1990's, the government of Margareth That...

Towards curbing capital flight from the nation’s football industry to overseas, the League Management Company (LMC) has revealed that it intends to work with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) to push the Federal Government for the enactment of a legislation by the National Assembly that will make it mandatory for Nigerian companies entering into sponsorship deals with European Clubs to pay some percentage of the net worth of the deal to the domestic league.   Chairman of LMC, Mallam Shehu Dikko disclosed this at the inaugural sportspro.ng/Lagos Business School workshops which held at the Pan Atlantic University on Tuesday, August 11 and also re-echoed the LMC’s position at the recent World Leagues Forum inaugural meeting in London which sought a percentage of European Leagues’ broadcast and other commercial partnerships deals secured from Nigerian organizations for the airing of live games and other activations in the...

The League Management Company (LMC) has formally charged FC Taraba for failing to meet financial obligation to its players and has in line with the provision of the relevant rules ordered the club to pay all amounts due within 60 days. FC Taraba players have been owed salaries for several months and the LMC in wielding the stick cited Article B9. 45 which made it mandatory for terms of contract between a club and a player to be strictly adhered to. It further stipulates that where a club fails to pay remuneration or entitlements due to players for a period of more than sixty days, such club shall be liable to deduction of six points and a further three points for every 30 days for which the amount due remains unpaid. This will be the second time this season the LMC will move to exercise Summary Jurisdiction in a case of failure to meet financial obligation as a similar notice of summary jurisdiction was issued Dolphins of Port Harcourt before the mid-season break. In...

  Kano Pillars and their new Coach, Baba Ganaru have been fined separately by the League Management Company (LMC) for breaching the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Rules and Framework 2014/2015 Season. In its recent exercise off Summary Jurisdiction, the LMC cited Ganaru for breaching the Code of Conduct for Managers and Coaches as contained in Appendix B of the NPFL Rule Books by accepting to enter into negotiation with Kano Pillars without first obtaining the consent of his employer, Nasarawa United. Ganaru’s sanction for this breach includes the payment of a fine of N200, 000, forfeiture of one month salary to Nasarawa United being one month salary in lieu of notice as stipulated in his contract with the club and a further forfeiture of N5 million, being 50% of his sign-on as agreed in his contract with Nasarawa United for the 2014/2015 season since he has only served half of his full season contract with the club.  The Coach though, has a right to sub...

Six clubs whose grounds were decertified from hosting Glo Premier League matches have been granted provisional approval by the League Management Company (LMC) to return to their grounds while further inspection would be carried out to ascertain the appropriateness of repairs done. In a circular to the Clubs, the LMC listed the clubs that have been granted provisional approval to return to their home grounds as Giwa FC (Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos), Nasarawa United, (Lafiya Township Stadium), FC Taraba (Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo), Heartland (Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri), FC IfeanyiUbah (Gabros Stadium, Nnewi) and Abia Warriors (Umuahia Township Stadium). The clubs had their grounds decertified from Match Day11 after they were inspected and adjudged not fit to host Glo Premier League matches. The clubs were directed to repair the observed defects and notify the LMC for further inspection. The LMC in the circular said it has received and reviewed the preliminary report...

Nigeria Football Professional League governing body has reprimanded the Delta State Football Association for not ensuring adequate and proper security at the Warri Township Stadium during the Match Day 17 Glo Premier League match between Warri Wolves and Enyimba International. Warri Wolves FC, its Team Manager and player were also subjected to disciplinary measures for various breaches of the Rules and Framework during their rescheduled Match Day 7 fixture in Ibadan against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC). The sanctions are part of the latest measures by the League Management Company (LMC) to enforce compliance to the league rules by all participating clubs and their players. These decisions were conveyed to the various parties through letters signed by Salihu Abubakar, the Chief Operating Officer of the LMC. He said the LMC has a duty to call every individual and club to order to serve as deterrent to others who may find themselves in similar situations. In these latest disciplina...

Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Mallam Shehu Dikko has said the league is very close to the official unveiling of the Rasheed Yekini trophy for the highest goal scorer as part of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Awards which the board approved at its meeting in June. Dikko said the decision to name the trophy after one of Nigeria’s most prolific forwards was chosen by the board as a route to immortalize the player who scored a total of 37 goals in 58 appearances for the country and demonstrated exemplary character and commitment throughout his career. “There is a broad plan to institute awards and honour outstanding players, officials, key stakeholders and fans in the league at the end of every season and there are a number of factors that led us to reach the decision to name one of these awards, that of the highest goal scorer after the late Rasheed Yekini. The awards is part of strategic plans of the LMC to create commercial val...

Three Clubs, a Coach and a Welfare Officer have been sanctioned by the League Management Company (LMC) for varying violations of the Rules and Framework in recently concluded games of the 2014/15 season.   An official of FC Taraba, Fada Dennis who serves as the Welfare Officer has been suspended from all Glo Premier League activities for the remaining games of the season. The club officer was cited for assaulting Referee Bala Mohammed in Makurdi after the Match Day 14 fixture against Shooting Stars. The LMC charged also FC Taraba with failure to provide adequate security on Match Day 14 after their match against Shooting Stars which allowed unauthorized persons to gain access to restricted area and which led to the attack on Referee Bala Mohammed.   The sanctions on the club includes playing one home game behind closed doors, fine of N500, 000 and payment of N250, 000 compensation to Referee Mohammed.   Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) was fined N500, 000 for not p...

Chairman, League Management company (LMC), Alhaji Shehu Dikko has enjoined all the 20 football clubs campaigning in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to follow the footsteps of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan by commissioning  qualified people to document the history of their various clubs as such book will assist the LMC in the sponsorship and privatization drive and campaign for local football clubs in Nigeria embark upon by his administration. He also said that such book will form part of the asset to be sold to potential sponsors which would help them tap into the clubs history and helps it's affinity to its fans Alhaji Dikko said this while commending the Naija Made crew of Super Sports in a text message after watching the 127th episode of the show which usually promotes Nigerian league and commend them for showcasing the author and publisher of the "Golden Book of Shooting stars" Mr Ayo Ademokoya on the show. In his message, Alhaji Dikko p...

The League Management Company (LMC) has approved a shirt sponsorship deal between Sharks FC of Port Harcourt and Eunisell Limited in line with provisions of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Rules and Framework. Salihu Abubakar, the LMC Chief Operating Officer conveyed the approval in a letter to Sharks in which he congratulated the club for securing the deal and also complying with regulation which provides that all external commercial relationships of clubs must be vetted and approved by the LMC before signing. Abubakar reminded other clubs that it is a breach of the rules to wear shirts with unauthorized endorsements and advised any club that is yet to have the approval of LMC to desist from further wearing of such shirts. He also reminded clubs that pitch panel displays must be approved by the LMC and their deployment for match day branding are to be handled by the LMC approved agency or any such persons authorized by it. "There are regulations guiding commer...

The League Management Company (LMC) on Wednesday forwarded the cases of four referees and eight assistant referees to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Referees Appointment Committee requesting that the listed officials performances be reviewed and dropped from further officiating NPFL games pending the conclusion of the review of their performance in some matches. In referring the case to the Committee, the LMC expressed dissatisfaction with their performances in some fixtures of Match Day 11 and 12. Referee Jerry Akure from Benue State and his assistants, Aliyu Jingi (Bauchi) and Garba Musa from Yobe State were charged for below par handling the Match Day 11 fixture in Umuahia between Abia Warriors and Sunshine Stars while Referee Maaji Mohammed and his assistants Abbas J and Alfa Gimba, all of Niger State Referees Council were charged for poor officiating in the fixture between El-Kanemi Warriors and FC Taraba also in Match day 11. Two other cases from Match Day 12 involved ...