The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has warned club coaches and other officials to adhere to acceptable channels for conveying grievances over match officiating and desist from making disparaging public comments about the league.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the NPFL, Dr. Ayo Abdulrahman, issued the warning in a memo to all participating clubs, saying it was necessary to protect the league’s brand and prevent actions capable of discouraging partnership interests.
The memo, titled “Warning Against Disparaging Statements by Club Coaches and Officials,” drew the attention of club leadership to extant provisions of the NPFL Framework and Rules prohibiting incendiary public statements capable of bringing the league into disrepute.
“This has become necessary as the 2026/27 season progresses, with particular reference to a trending video interview featuring Sporting Lagos FC coach, Jeffery Buter, which questioned the integrity of the centre referee at the end of the Matchday 6 encounter in Lagos against Barau FC,” the memo stated.
Abdulrahman also reminded club officials that there are established channels through which grievances concerning match officiating can be formally communicated to the NPFL Secretariat.
“All Clubs are hereby reminded of Appendix B, Rule 7 and Section A, Rule 5.5.2 of the NPFL Framework and Rules 2026/2027, which prohibit public criticism and disparaging statements against the League and its officials by players, club coaches and officials,” the memo stated.
The COO urged clubs to ensure that their coaches, managers and other officials refrain from making statements capable of bringing the league and its match officials into disrepute.
He warned that “any further breach will attract appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the NPFL Framework and Rules.”
