The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has directed Kano Pillars Football Club to pay the sum of N11.8 million to their former player, Bassey Akpan.
The NFF through the Players’ Status/Arbitration Committee in a letter made available to an online medium (BSN Sports) and signed by the Secretary of the Committee, Joshua Onoja, ordered Kano Pillars to remit the outstanding sum of ₦11.8 million owed in arrears to their former goalkeeper Bassey Akpan within 21 days.
It was also contained in statement that Kano Pillars violated of Article 14 and Article 17 of the FIFA regulations on the status and transfer of Players (RSTP) as enacted in 2019.
The statement reads in parts, “In view of the unilateral termination of the contract by Kano Pillars FC, in violation of Art. 14 and Art 17, FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players RSTP (2019), Kano Pillars FC are hereby ordered to pay the sum of ₦11, 800, 000, being the sum owed Player Bassey Akpan for the month of November 2021 and 13 Months Salaries of the unexpired term of contracts and the Purchase of Paper Fee agreed by the parties as provided in the contract.”
It continued, “The above payment shall be made into the account details to be provided by Player – Bassey Akpan to Kano Pillars FC. The Payment shall be made by Kano Pillars FC to Player Bassey Akpan within twenty-one (21) days, effective from the date of this award.
It added, “Failure to comply with this award, the NFF Players’ Status/Arbitration Committee shall impose further sanctions on Kano Pillars FC.
“An appeal against this decision shall lie to the Court of Arbitration for Sports, Lausanne, Switzerland. (Art. 70 of NFF Statutes 2010).”
“In light of this development, Kano Pillars are served with a window of ten (10) days from the date of release to seek an appeal in writing mailed to the NFF General Secretariat, outside which the decision becomes “binding and final”. The statement concluded.
