The League Management Company (LMC) has clarified that the decision not to register Nembe City FC and Giwa FC from participation in the Glo Premier League 2013/14 was neither arbitrary nor premeditated but was in exercise of its responsibilities to ensure fair play, transparency and compliance with registration requirements of the league.
“The decisions fall within the powers of the LMC as the First Instance Body appointed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Club Licensing Regulations for Globacom Premier League”, declared Harry Iwuala, LMC’s Special Projects Manager.
He made this clarification in a statement last night and said the decision was consistent with the responsibility of the LMC to protect every interest in the League especially the employees such as the players, coaches and others engaged by Clubs for various services.
According to Iwuala, “The LMC couldn’t have acted arbitrarily when we spent time and resources to organise a workshop last January to sensitise and prepare the Clubs on the imperatives of the registration requirements. We had a member of the LMC, Shehu Dikko and a legal practitioner familiar with the FIFA and CAF Club Licensing Regulations speak extensively on the requirements. It is apparent that the LMC had given enough notice to the clubs of its intent to apply the criteria for admission to the League fairly and without fear or favour”.
He further remarked that “It is very evident that the league commencement date had been delayed severally to allow for a break from the past, when clubs made a mockery of the registration process and denied the nation’s football of the benefits of a well structured league”.
The LMC, he argued, had merely applied existing rules which the clubs were to have operated over the years but had only amplified sections that have hitherto been applied in breach.
In his words, “For instance, in asking for a performance guarantee from the Clubs, the LMC has merely sought to enforce compliance with Article 1.5 (5) of the 2012 Regulations which requires all participating clubs to provide irrevocable letters of commitment from their owners confirming financial status and capabilities to play in the season. The sanction for non-compliance with this requirement is automatic withdrawal or deregistration of the club from the league”.
He further explained that the registration requirements implemented at this stage was to condition the Clubs towards meeting the more stringent FIFA and CAF Club Licensing regulation that has been adopted by the NFF and which will become operational from November 30, 2014.
“The NFF Club Licensing Regulations states clearly that it is the basic document for club licensing system, through which the different members of the football family aim to promote common principles in the world of football such as sporting value, transparency in their finances, ownership and control of clubs, players and coaches’ welfare, and the credibility and integrity of club competitions. It will ensure that clubs attain minimum standards required by FIFA and CAF for National Championship and Cup competitions,“ Iwuala said.
He then advised any aggrieved party to take its case to the NFF bodies responsible for appeals and who are the final arbiters in such matters.
