By Amaechi Agbo

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF has directed the League Management Company, LMC; the Nigeria National League, NNL: the Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL and the Nationwide League One, NLO to ensure the protection of players and coaches from their employers, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report

The directive came after reports emerged that some of the leagues’ clubs’ managements have forced their players to take pay cut without their consent during the Coronavirus pandemic

Report emerged last month on how NNL side, Yobe Desert Stars reduced the salaris of players and coaches of the club to 25% without the employees’ consent.

There are also reports that NPFL clubs are subjecting their players to similar situations with no-one speaking for them

Realising the import of the unfolding evil act, the NFF after a video conference meeting with the minister of youth and sports, Sunday Dare directed the leagues management to ensure that players, coaches and other employees’ salaries are protected and should liaise with club owners to ensure players are paid accordingly.

“The NFF has mandated the Leagues to work to ensure players, coaches and other employees’ salaries are protected and should liaise with club owners to ensure players are paid accordingly.

“That the domestic league must be protected to ensure its commercial viability is sustained and the competition integrity upheld both in the current circumstances and post COVID-19 pandemic,” the federation said in a statement on Friday.

To enthrone transparency and professionalism in management of Nigeria football the NFF is expected to submit a detailed brief to the Sports Ministry on the issues and the likely support needed to ensure the protection of the football industry as envisaged.

The Minister informed the NFF that in view of the Coronavirus pandemic that has practically paralysed the sports industry, it is imperative to assess its impact on the domestic sports industry including football and consider strategies for charting a new course for football in the post-COVID-19 era.

He reiterated the need for NFF to keep the stakeholders, including the Government and private sector, duly informed on the steps being taken so they can consider interventions to protect the industry.

Attendance in the mention were the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Gabriel Aduda while the NFF team was represented by the President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, 1st Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi, 2nd Vice President/LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the NWFL Aisha Falode and NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.