NLO orders clubs to cease participation in unauthorised private leagues

NLO orders clubs to cease participation in unauthorised private leagues

The Nationwide League One (NLO) Secretariat has directed all clubs under its jurisdiction to immediately cease participation in, organisation of, sponsorship of, or association with unauthorised private leagues and competitions.

The directive was contained in a formal notice issued by the NLO Secretariat, following concerns that some clubs may be engaging in competitions operating outside the official framework approved by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the NLO.

According to the Secretariat, participation in such competitions is unauthorised and constitutes a violation of the statutes and regulations governing football administration in Nigeria.

The NLO consequently ordered all affected clubs to “cease and desist forthwith” from any involvement in private leagues or competitions that have not received prior written approval from the NFF and the NLO. The directive takes immediate effect, with the Secretariat warning that clubs that fail to comply could face disciplinary action.

Possible sanctions listed by the NLO include suspension, expulsion from the league, forfeiture of results and referral to the NFF Disciplinary Committee.

NLO Cites European Super League

The NLO also referred to the controversy surrounding the proposed European Super League in April 2021 as an international precedent for the consequences of operating football competitions outside established structures.

At the time, a group of leading European clubs announced plans to establish a breakaway competition, prompting strong opposition from FIFA, UEFA, national football associations, governments and supporters.

The NLO noted that warnings were issued over potential sanctions against clubs and players involved in the proposed competition, including exclusion from international competitions and possible consequences within domestic football structures.

The proposed European Super League subsequently suffered a major collapse after the majority of the founding clubs withdrew from the project within days of its announcement. Drawing from the episode, the NLO stressed that football competitions must operate within the recognised structures of FIFA and its member associations and that unauthorised parallel competitions could undermine the integrity and hierarchy of the sport.

The Secretariat therefore urged NLO clubs to respect the established football pyramid in Nigeria and channel their activities towards official NLO competitions and other programmes sanctioned by the NFF.

The NLO further reiterated that it would not tolerate attempts to establish or participate in private competitions capable of undermining the official league system.