Transparency, Credibility Key To NPFL Growth, Says Chairman

The Chairman of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Gbenga Elegbeleye, said the league can only be attractive to investors through transparency, credibility and well motivated referees to render their best.

He disclosed this during a roundtable discourse with NPFL reporters in Akure, the Ondo State Capital. Elegbeleye stressed that the league organisers will not compromise standard, saying they will ensure that the rules are adhered to without favouritism.

“We have started with the reduction of three points from any erring team and financial punishment to ensure that the visiting teams are not intimidated,” Elegbeleye said. “Since we started reducing three points it is the home teams that are now protecting away teams”

“The home team must win syndrome has reduced drastically, on match day one of the current season, we recorded no fewer than four away wins.”

“We must insist on the rule and not compromising the standards to get it right. There are lots of investors who are ready to partner us for the growth of the league.”

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The chairman also mentioned an upward review of player salaries

“From the beginning of next season we are going to do an upward review of players salaries,” he added.

Elegbeleye said there must be principle of checks and balances to grow the league. The ex-Director General of National Sports Commission (NSC), added that the league management will continue its zero tolerance for thuggery and any kind of violence at the match venue.

He hinted that NPFL has started with communication gadgets which he said is the first step before using Video Assistant Referee (VAR). He added that plans are ongoing to train young referees on how to use (VAR) affirming that all Nigerian referees are higher institutions graduates.