Despite the a circular that was issued by the IMC informing clubs of the league draws to hold on the 28th of December, 2022, Club Owners of the NPFL have stated they will boycott the event as they will support an abridged format for the new league season.
The Club Owners in a Christmas message on their Facebook page wished all well and stated that they will not align to any arrangement if the IMC insist on the abridge format of the league as that was not the agreement during their meeting on Wednesday.
The club proprietors said, in the voting, 17 club members voted against the Abridge League Format as against only 3 who voted for it, but was shocked to discovered that some persons went behind to the IMC to push for the Abridge league system.
They states further that, full league system can still be completed within the CAF given time frame to provide the clubs to feature in the international games. To them, NPFL which was once a number one league in Africa should not be embarrassed with an Abridge League Format.
"We therefore, wish to state unequivocally that our decision against the abridge league format remain unchanged", part of the statement reads.
In what seems like a rejoined, the chairman of the body,Barr. Isaac Danladi issued a statement informing members not to be part of Wednesday 28th December, 2022 arrangement as they insist on a full season league.
"This is to bring to your notice that we are in receipt of the above circular inviting clubs for the 2023 NPFL draws on abridged league format.
Consequently, I wish to further inform members and state categorically that this is not in consonance with the joint decision of clubs and IMC at the last meeting of Wednesday 21st Dec 2022 whereby it was agreed inter-alia that the abridged league proposed by IMC and the straight league which was overwhelmingly proposed by the clubs would be communicated to NFF by the IMC for further necessary action.
"Were therefore perplexed and amazed that just few hours after the meeting, IMC came up with a circular fixing 28th December as date for draws based on abridge league format.
We wish to categorically dissociate ourselves with the circular and state firmly that clubs would not be part of the draws on 28th December 2022, neither would we participate in an abridged league.
The clubs remain resolute in our quest to have a better league that will endure, hence we cannot be part of an arrangement that will not be beneficial to football development in Nigeria.
In view of the above, a meeting of the club Owners is being proposed for 28th December 2022 in Asaba Delta state to review matters arising among other things." The statement read.
By Uche Dozie