By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
The much-awaited December 28 commencement date of the 2022/2023
Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season announced by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) may not see the light of the day after all.
This is because members of the whistles profession, the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) have vowed not to go close to the field of play anytime soon unless their three years unpaid match indemnities are cleared by IMC.
Prompt News reports that IMC is now charged with the responsibility of reviving the country’s elite football league which has been in comatose even before the federal government scrapped the contrived League Management Company (LMC) headed by Malam Shehu Dikko, the erstwhile 2nd Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Prompt News has exclusively gathered that majority of NRA members are now up in arms against everyone involved in the ruling of football in Nigeria, vowing to truncate any attempt to start a new football league season especially the NPFL without paying them their three years accumulated match indemnities.
A respected member of NRA who pleaded anonymity has revealed that majority of NRA members are determined more than ever before to take their destinies in their hands by boycotting the proposed 2022/2023 football league until their three years unpaid match indemnities are paid completely.
According to the aggrieved NRA members, they are pained that the IMC which was set up by the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare and headed by Gbenga Elegbeleye with veteran football administrator, Chief Davidson Owumi as Chief Operating Officer (COO) having been holding series of meetings with the the so-called “Club Owners” but refused to look towards NRA members who are critical stakeholders in football in Nigeria.
This is even as the media is awash with the news of IMC and the 20 “Club Owners” meeting again next week in Abuja to ratify the kick-off date for the 2022/23 NPFL season while the referees are still being owed three years unpaid match indemnities.
Prompt News further learnt that the referees are ready for a street fight if need be to ensure that the three years accumulated match indemnities are paid to them by IMC before football will be kicked again in Nigeria.
For example, some of the evidential materials obtained from NRA members read in parts:
“Referees had not been paid in the last 3years. Referees indemnities were not paid for over 3years. How can we start a new season with the outstanding 3years unpaid indemnities”.
Yet, another one read: “NRA President, TADE AZEEZ ‘S tenure would end on 8th February, 2023. Uptill now, nothing has been put in place to indicate whether there would be Elections or NOT.
“How can IMC start a new football season without paying the outstanding
indemnities owned the REFEREES”.
Meanwhile, Prompt News can confirm that “Club Owners” have agreed on a December 28 kick-off date and on an abridged league format, with the 2022/2023 campaign expected to end in May 2023.
The 20 NPFL teams will be divided into two groups, with the top two teams in each group meeting in a league format to decide the eventual winner just as some clubs will have to play their home games on neutral venues after their stadium failed to meet the required standards.
Among the affected clubs are Sunshine Stars of Akure, Ondo state; Nasarawa United of Lafia and Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi, Benue state. These clubs are to play their home matches away from their home fans.
