By Amaechi Agbo

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF has directed the Nigeria PfrofessionalFootball League NPFL league organisers, the League Management Company to payoff outstanding indemnities of match officials and Members of the Referees Appointment Committee

The directive was part of resolutions the federation passed at its Executive Board meeting held on Monday

Part of the directive reads: “Also related to the successful organization and observance of best practices at venues of matches of the Nigeria Professional Football League and the Nigeria Women Football League, the Executive Committee instructed the League Management Company to offset outstanding entitlements of match officials and Members of the Referees Appointment Committee once it receives the first tranche of payment from partners, Redstrike.  The NFF Secretariat and the NFF Football Committee are mandated to ensure strict compliance with this directive.”

The federation while commending the leadership of the League Management Company and the Nigeria Women Football League for the eventual commencement of the Season 2020/2021 of the NPFL and the Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL also directed them to ensure strict obersativation and implementation of all covid-19 guidelines in match venues

“While praising the respective leadership of the League Management Company and the Nigeria Women Football League for the eventual commencement of the Season 2020/2021 of the NPFL and the Nigeria Women League, the Executive Committee charged both bodies to ensure strict compliance and conformity with all laid down COVID-19 protocols by the Clubs, match officials and all those who have anything to do with organization of the various matches before, during and after EVERY MATCH DAY.

“In furtherance to the above, the Executive Committee directed the various Leagues to report to the Football Committee, on monthly basis, its efforts in organization/full adherence to COVID-19 protocols as well as Club Licensing Regulations, and whatever challenges they may have. The Football Committee is to brief the Executive Committee accordingly.”

It could be recalled that lack or none-payment of match officials entitlemtns by the LMC was said to have impacted negativey of professionalism of the league during the previous season.

The 2020/2021 NPFL season commenced on Sunday, December 27, 2020 while the NWFL league started on Wednesday, December 9, 2020.