The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has restated its resolve to enforce every provision of the Framework and Rules as fixtures of the second matchday of the last half of the season take center stage this weekend.
The NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi made this known following a meeting with Heads of Departments on Thursday when he charged the Secretariat staff to be more vigilant.
Owumi explained that the call for extra vigilance was to ensure that no untoward practices were allowed to infringe on the integrity of the administration of the league.
“We have entered the home stretch of the season after crossing the halfway line and our experience over the years is that this is when desperation sets in for the clubs.
“There will be desperation to try to win the title or a continental ticket just as others will throw in everything to escape relegation.
“Our responsibility is to be vigilant in monitoring everyone including Match Officials, players, Club Officials and those who would scheme to compromise the game,” remarked Owumi, who has had over 20 years in League and Club administration.
Furthermore, the NPFL Chief said, “I am inviting every stakeholder to work with us to ensure that we improved on the gains of last season to deliver another credible competition.
“Our Referees, Match Commissioners, Club leaders, players, fans and also our Judicial bodies should all make contributions to ensure that we can at the end say we are proud of our efforts.”
He assured all the clubs of fairness at all times, pledging to “enforce the rules to the best extent of our understanding.”
Owumi also offered commendations to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for supporting the NPFL so far by standing with most disciplinary rulings and not yielding to covert political pressures that tend to adversely interfere with the league administration.
Matchday 21 games are set for Saturday and Sunday except the fixture in Ikenne between Remo Stars and former champions, Rivers United who are involved in a group stage match of the CAF Confederation Cup.
