Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs have received a memo from Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer, advising them to address certain behaviors of their Coaches, Players, and Ball Boys during fixtures of the season.
The memo, titled “Regulating Matchday Conduct of Coaches, Players and Ball Boys,” aims to ensure that no individual or group tarnishes the public perception of the league. The memo highlights the dress code of Coaches, some of whom have been appearing for matches in inappropriate apparel that negatively impacts the league’s image. It warns that such Coaches will be charged based on the relevant provisions of the NPFL Framework and Rules, urging club leadership to take an interest in ensuring compliance with dress codes, especially with games being televised.
Another issue raised in the memo is the simulation of injury by players to hold up matches, leading to a denial of full value for money and time to fee-paying fans. The memo encourages clubs to discourage such practices and advises Coaches to adopt fair means of achieving results. The memo also frowns upon Ball Boys hiding match balls to create undue advantages through time-wasting when the ball is out of play. Match Commissioners have been mandated to address this issue, ensuring that the number of Ball Boys and Balls remains consistent throughout the match. The NPFL warns that appropriate sanctions will be imposed on offending clubs that engage in disreputable conduct.
