This archive report was first published on 24 June 2020.
Nigeria Football Federation Delays Decision on 2019/2020 Season ¶
June 24, 2020
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has stated that it has not settled on a system to decide the 2019/2020 season, saying it is still consulting widely to arrive at the best possible option.
Despite reports that the Point Per Game (PPG) system has been chosen by the League Management Company (LMC) and the Club Owners Association, the NFF has called on stakeholders to be patient, saying it is working on ways to resolve the issues.
According to the NFF, wide consultation is still ongoing as to the format and pattern of foreclosing the 2019/2020 Football Season, including that of the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL.
Football in Nigeria has been suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak, which brought the sporting world to a complete standstill until a few weeks ago, when European football gradually returned.
At a virtual meeting, 17 clubs voted for the PPG system, while Akwa United and Lobi Stars abstained, and Enugu Rangers voted for a play-off to decide the season.
The clubs also voted that no club should be relegated to the lower division or promoted from the second tier league to the topflight.
Chairman of the Club Owners Association, Isaac Danladi, explained that the decision was taken after considering four options, with the PPG system being the standard practice due to the unequal number of games played by teams.
However, the PPG system has been criticized by Lobi Stars, who feel they have been shortchanged by the rule.
Lobi Stars rejected the voting process, insisting that the LMC and the club owners conspired against the Makurdi-based outfit. The LMC has denied this allegation.
