NFF Disciplinary Committee throws out Rivers Utd appeal over ineligible player

NFF Disciplinary Committee throws out Rivers Utd appeal over ineligible player

Attempt by Rivers United to profit points from the boardroom over Shooting Stars Sports Club has failed.

Rivers United had petitioned the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) Disciplinary Committee over the eligibility of a player, who was featured in the match day 15 of the NPFL game with Shooting Stars Sports Club.

According to Rivers United, the eligibility of Hadi Mohammed of 3SC was in doubt.

However, the committee disagrees, saying ruling, "The Committee is constrained to recommend any punishment for an act that was not defined as an offence and punishment prescribed in a written law, in this case, the NPFL Framework.

"The Committee finds it difficult to base its judgement based on morality and presumptions. In line with Art. 9.88 of NPFL Framework and Rules, 2023/2024 which provides that a player shall only be registered and play for one club in the league during a season: except properly transferred to another within the season.

"That the player was duly transferred and issued a license by the NPFL framework.

"The protest by Rivers United against the summary jurisdiction of the NPFL regarding the match between Rivers United vs 3SC lacks merit and is hereby dismissed.

"That the above decisions are without prejudice to the right of appeal."

Similarly, the committee also ruled on the eligibility of players; Adeleke Adekunle, Paschal Durugbor, Muhammad Jamil, Ini Edem Ubom, Ejike Uzoechi and Mike Samuel, who featured in the match day 13 of the NPFL between Rivers United and Sporting Lagos.

The committee also dismissed the case brought by Rivers United saying:

"The Committee is constrained to recommend any punishment for an act that was not defined as an offence and punishment prescribed in a written law, in this case, the NPFL Framework.

"The Committee finds it difficult to base its judgement based on morality and presumptions.

"In line with Art. 9.88 of NPFL Framework and Rules, 2023/2024 which provides that a player shall only be registered and play for one club in the league during a season: except properly transferred to another within the season.

"The protest by Rivers United FC against the summary jurisdiction of the NPFL regarding the match between Rivers United FC V. Sporting Lagos FC lacks merit and is hereby dismissed.

"That the above decisions are without prejudice to the right of appeal."