Nigeria Football Federation, NFF Interim Management Committee, IMC Boss, Gbenga Elegbeleye has stated the body's resolve to have the 2022/2023 league season as an abridged version in order to meet up with the May deadline.
Despite the meeting between the IMC and the Club Owners where it was agreed that league will kick off in January with an abridged format, there have been bickerings from some club owners for the league to be a full version.
However, the chairman of the committee has reiterated the desire of the committee to go ahead with the plan for an abridged format with the NFF backing.
"The NFF advised we should go for an abridged league so we can meet up with the mandate given of ending the league in May,” the former National Sports Commission director general said.
“So, the league will start on January 8th with draws for Dec 28th on 100% abridged format, any club not ready might decide to leave. Some club owners wanted the last top four teams to represent Nigeria for next season on the continent because they want the league to end in July.”
The former House of Representative member promised that the league will be back on Television as arrangements have been made with the NTA, and funds have been secured to pay match officials throughout the season.
“A club chairman informed that his players want to rest because they played on the continent,” he continued.
“The NPFL will be on NTA as we have an assurance from them. For cable networks, it might not start with the first few matches but later on in the season, we won’t owe any referee for next season despite inheriting 500m naira referee debt.”
By Uche Dozie