TheCable

The board of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has warned clubs to ensure their officials stay away from changing rooms designated for match officials. 

According to a statement on the league’s website on Thursday, Davidson Owumi, NPFL chief operating officer (COO), issued the warning in a memo addressed to the 20 participating clubs.

Owumi said “a number of disturbing incidents have been reported around the changing rooms of the referees at some venues”.

He described the trend as “increasingly worrisome”, adding that no club official is allowed access to match officials before, during and after any fixture.

The NPFL COO added that the league administrators would not hesitate to sanction erring clubs for allowing unacceptable access to match officials.

“It is becoming increasingly worrisome that unauthorised persons are encroaching to restricted areas during matches of the ongoing season,” the memo reads.

“It has become necessary to remind our Chairmen, General Managers and other top officials of the clubs that no club officer is permitted to visit or talk to match officials in their changing rooms at halftime or at any time in the course of a league match. Access to match officials is restricted, and only appointed match commissioners and referees are to be in the designated rooms at halftime.”

The 2023/24 NPFL season commenced on September 30, with N150 million as the prize money.

The fourth matchday is billed for the weekend when Akwa United will host Shooting Stars, Remo Stars play Sporting Lagos and Rivers United battle Kano Pillars.