The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) reminded teams on Friday of the established procedures for their Technical Heads' post-match media involvement.
The NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, stated in a memo titled "Participation of Coaches at Post Match Conferences" that it is critical to strictly follow the principles in order to develop and grow the NPFL in accordance with worldwide standards.
In order to remind Club Coaches that attendance at post-match media conferences is required, although they are free to designate a representative on occasion, the memo referenced Rule B6.26.
The document also discussed the requirement for decorum in the conduct of coaches and the media, stating that "the decorum expected at all times from the coaches and also the journalists is beyond the mandatory participation." club media officers are responsible for setting up and facilitating the post-match conversations, but they also have a duty to safeguard the coaches by preventing difficult questions.
Clubs have been advised to provide their coaches expert advice on how to behave when speaking with the media after games in order to prevent hostile situations between the coaches and the media.
“Every club is invited to groom their coaches on appropriate manners at such media events to avoid situations where the league is brought to disrepute by unruly behaviour of a coach. Rule C9 requires clubs to ensure the proper conduct of their players and officials at all times during matches”, Owumi pointed out in the memo.
It also issued a warning, stating that any club and its coach found to have broken the general misconduct provisions of rules C9 and C1.1 will be subject to future punishment from the NPFL as outlined in the Framework and Rules.
By Olaleye Oluwadamilola