NFF and NPFL Clash
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) clash as the two bodies disagree over a statement released on the NFF Twitter handle. The Nigeria Football Federation wrote on their twitter account saying that all the Nigerian Professional Football League clubs should suspend all their games due to the death of Chineme Martins.
Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) on the other hand said the clubs should ignore all speculations in the media suggesting that the Nigeria Football Federation has ordered the suspension of the league games.
Shehu Dikko who is the Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC) came out to clarified the issue on Tuesday. He said the statement by the body on it’s Twitter account was very “unambiguous” that what they should do is to ensure that all Match Commissioners and host state Football Associations must have all medical requirements which includes both equipment and medical personnels before any match.
Shehu Dikko reproduced the NFF Statement which read: “The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) regrets the incidence in Lafia involving a player of Nasarawa United and further condole the immediate family of the late player and the football Stakeholders at large.
The NFF has in conjunction with the Ministry of Sports engaged the LMC and reviewed the situation. As an immediate first step, it has directed that no further match be played except there is full compliment of the medical equipment and personnel as provided in the NFF Club Licensing Regulations.”
All Match Commissioners and the host FA are to make sure all the facilities needed are readily available before the commencement of any game. Shehu Dikko said: “The above statement does not translate to a blanket suspension of the league but not to allow a game to start at any venue that is in breach.”