Salary debts: NPFL withdraws licenses of newly registered players from nine clubs

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Thursday took steps to enforce arbitration decisions made by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Players Status/Arbitration Committee following the failure of the affected clubs to take advantage of extended moratorium periods.

The clubs were taken to the NFF Committee over disputes regarding unpaid salaries and entitlements of some of their former players and coaches.

The Committee ruled in favor of the petitioners and set a timeframe and process for the clubs’ compliance.

“Having exhausted the grace period, we have moved to enforce the judgment, and the first step is to withdraw the licenses of all newly transferred and registered players from the affected clubs for the ongoing season,” explained Davidson Owumi, Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL.

In a letter to the affected clubs, titled “Indefinite Withdrawal of Licenses of Newly Registered Players for the 2024/25 Season Due to Non-Compliance with NFF Players Status/Arbitration Committee Decision,” the NPFL notified the clubs that the license withdrawals will take effect from Matchday 10.

“As a result of this non-compliance, the licenses of the following newly transferred and registered players for the 2024/25 season are hereby indefinitely withdrawn, effective from Matchday 10,” the letter stated.

Some of the affected clubs include Plateau United (14 players), Lobi Stars (15 players), Kwara United (20 players), Katsina United (players), and Enyimba International (18 players).

Others are El-Kanemi Warriors (13 players), Bayelsa United (18 players), Akwa United (17 players), and Abia Warriors (23 players).

The NPFL stated that the players’ licenses would only be restored upon receipt of official confirmation that the clubs have fully complied with the decision.