NPFL hands Rivers United suspended N15m fine, three-point deduction

Rivers United

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has handed Rivers United a suspended N15 million fine and a three-point and three-goal deduction for allegedly denying its broadcast partners access to the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium during their Matchday 11 fixture against Rangers International.

The league also issued the Port Harcourt club a formal final warning, stating that the sanctions would be activated if it commits another breach of the relevant broadcasting regulations during the ongoing season.

The dispute followed the disruption of the live coverage of the encounter, which ended 1-1 on Sunday, 1 November.

In a summary jurisdiction decision communicated to the club, the NPFL said Rivers United denied Murphy Ben International (MBI), its broadcast partner, access to the stadium for the fixture.

The league described the action as a serious violation of its regulations and an unacceptable interference with its broadcasting operations.

According to the decision signed by the league’s Chief Operating Officer, Ayo Abdulrahman, the incident undermined the NPFL’s commercial and broadcasting arrangements and brought its integrity and reputation into disrepute.

The league cited Section B, Rules 6.22 and 6.23 of the NPFL Framework and Rules, which provide for the exclusive and unrestricted access of the league’s broadcast rights owner to all league venues without prior notice.

Under Rule 6.23, clubs that obstruct television coverage of their home matches are liable to a fine of up to N15 million and a deduction of three points and three goals.

However, the NPFL opted to suspend the prescribed sanctions, issuing Rivers United what it described as a formal and final warning.

The decision stated that the N15 million fine, alongside the three-point and three-goal deduction, would take effect if the club commits another breach of the provisions.

The league warned that access for its broadcast partners was a regulatory requirement and not a matter subject to the discretion or approval of individual clubs.

Rivers United had earlier rejected claims that they deliberately prevented MBI’s production crew from covering the Rangers fixture.

In a statement signed by the club’s Media Director, Charles Mayuku, on 1 November, the club said it acted on an email received from the NPFL on 30 October, indicating that the match was not included in the official live-streaming schedule.

The club maintained that it did not refuse access to any television production crew and had simply followed the broadcast instructions communicated by the league.

Rivers United also pointed to the circulated Matchday 11 broadcast schedule, which did not carry the MBI designation against their fixture with Rangers.

The club insisted that it remained committed to supporting the league’s efforts to expand television coverage and would continue to comply with official directives.

The latest decision comes amid a series of disciplinary actions by the NPFL against clubs over breaches of its regulations during the 2026/27 season.

Warri Wolves were recently fined N4.25 million, docked three points and three goals, and ordered to play their next three home matches behind closed doors following an assault on a match official after their fixture against Kano Pillars.

Inter Lagos also received a N5 million fine and a three-point and three-goal deduction after match officials were assaulted following their 1-1 draw against Katsina United on 4 October. The league additionally ordered the club to pay N250,000 in compensation to the affected assistant referee.

Earlier in February, Kwara United were fined N9 million, docked three points and three goals, and ordered to play their remaining home matches at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta following crowd violence during their fixture against Rivers United.

The latest sanctions against Rivers United, although suspended, underline the league’s enforcement of its regulations as it seeks to protect matchday operations, broadcasting arrangements and the commercial value of the competition.

Tunde Eludini is a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria where he studied International Relations. He is a Senior Correspondent coordinating the sports section for PREMIUM TIMES. Twitter: @tundeyeludini