By Amaechi Agbo

Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL side, Akwa United have sacked some of their players even as the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF plans to disburse COVID-19 palliatives to clubs, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report authoritatively.

The players who are dropped were informed about the development through phone calls.

An impeccable source in the club who did not want his name mentioned, told our correspondent that the secretary of the club was the one who made the calls.

Against the usual aberration in the NPFL where players are sacked via phone messages, the Akwa United management adopted phone call.

It was gathered that some of the players who are dropped were told that their contracts with the club had ended.

However, the source further said that the players are not owed by the club but expressed worry over what becomes the fate of the players with football activities in hiatus occasioned by the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.

“The secretary called the players to inform them about the decision,” the source said.

“He did not say why the players are dropped but I understand that some of the players’ contract are due to expire with the current league season.”

On the number of players sacked or retained, the source said “I cannot say. They called players and gave their messages based on what is their fate. So if you are retained, the secretary will tell you and if otherwise, he will inform you.

“So right now I cannot say how many are sacked or retained,” the source concluded.

When contacted, Akwa United Media Officer, Mfon Patrick told our correspondent that the players are on break.

He describe the report as “mere speculation” adding that the club will make official statement when football resumes in the country.

“We are on break and the season has ended according LMC. Once we get back to work, we will inform the public and everybody will know,” he said.

He added that “If anything like that is happening in my club, there will certainly be an official position. Once we do anything in my club, we always come out clean and plain for everybody to see.

“Of course you know that football is a game of speculation and people may speculate anything.”

Ahead of 2020/2021 leagues seasons, the NFF has promised to disburse the sum of $1.5 million COVID-19 palliatives to support clubs across all leagues in the country.

The federation announced last week that it will provide support for Clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL; Nigeria National League, NNL; Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL and the Nigeria Nationwide League, NLO, for next season’s football campaign, as a result of challenges that have arisen from the COVID-19 pandemic.