The Federal Government on Friday scrapped the League Management Company (LMC) managing the Nigeria Professional Football League.
To this end, the Federal Government also ordered the Nigeria Football Federation to withdraw the LMC license; while also directing it to set up an Interim Management Committee to oversee the league.
The directive was contained in a press statement issued on Friday, September 9, 2022. It was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ismaila Abubakar.
Federal Government
According to the Federal Government, the decision became imperative after a competent court of jurisdiction declared the League Management Company an illegal body.
The statement read, “In view of the several unpleasant incidents regarding the management of the Football League; specifically, the declaration of the National Football League (NFL) as an illegal body by the Court; the status of the League Management Company (LMC), the NFL’s successor-in-title being outside the purview of the Statutes of the NFF; the Federal Government is constrained to withdraw its recognition of the LMC as the operator of the Nigeria Professional Football League, with immediate effect.
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“This decision has become necessary because of the obvious aberration; (which is at variance with our football statutes or the laws of the land); whereby a private company is gifted the mandate to manage or run the league indefinitely; without the full involvement of and leadership by the clubs, and devoid of any process to monitor the progress and development of the game.
“Sequel to the above, and in order to rescue our domestic football from total collapse; the BOARD OF THE LMC AND THE LMC AS A BODY WOULD NO LONGER BE RECOGNISED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS OPERATOR OF THE NIGERIAN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE.
NFF
“To avert further chaos in our domestic football; the NFF is advised to immediately withdraw the licence given to the LMC and, in the meantime; set up an Interim Management Committee (IMC), to include the current Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the LMC; to oversee the affairs of the League until a proper Professional League Board is constituted in accordance with the Statutes of the NFF.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool legend, Mark Lawrenson has predicted that Manchester City will win the 2022/23 Premier League title.
Lawrenson said in a statement to Off the Ball:
“I think just the same as last year but I would have City as narrow favourites.”
The former defender does believe, though; that just one injury might easily kill their chances of winning the title.
“But I think it’s very, very, very close and you know, what if De Bruyne gets injured for four months. That’s the big thing from City’s point of view. Who’s going to play in his position?”
