Rivers United have been handed a suspended fine of N15 million, alongside a three-point and three-goal deduction, for allegedly denying broadcast partners access to their stadium during their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 11 fixture against Rangers International on Sunday.
The sanctions will only take effect if the club commits another breach of the league’s broadcast regulations during the ongoing season.
The decision was communicated to Rivers United in a summary jurisdiction notice signed by the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Dr Ayo Abdulrahman, who recalled the circumstances surrounding the disruption of the scheduled live broadcast.
According to the letter, the league received reports that the club denied its broadcast partners access to the stadium for the match, despite the fixture having been advertised for live coverage.
“The EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has received reports of the Club’s action in denying the League’s Broadcast Partners access to its stadium for the live coverage of its home fixture,” Abdulrahman stated.
He described the denial of access to Murphy Ben International as a serious violation of established regulations and an unacceptable interference with the league’s broadcasting operations.
The NPFL official said the action undermined the league’s commercial and broadcasting arrangements and brought its integrity and reputation into disrepute.
Abdulrahman also cited Sections B, Rules 6.22 and 6.23 of the NPFL Framework and Rules, which grant the league’s broadcast rights owner exclusive and unrestricted access to all league venues without prior notice.
Under Rule 6.23, a breach of the provision attracts a fine of up to N15 million, as well as a deduction of three points and three goals from the offending club’s accruable totals.
However, after considering the circumstances surrounding the incident, the league issued Rivers United a formal and final warning while placing the prescribed sanctions under suspension.
“In view of the seriousness of this incident, the League hereby issues Rivers United FC a formal and final warning and places the prescribed sanctions under suspension,” the letter stated.
It added that the N15 million fine and the deduction of three points and three goals would be activated if the club commits another breach of the provisions, without prejudice to any additional sanctions under the league’s rules.
The NPFL further cautioned Rivers United against repeating the action, stressing that access for broadcast partners to league venues is a regulatory requirement and not subject to the discretion of individual clubs.
“No Club is permitted to obstruct, restrict or deny such access, particularly in respect of scheduled live matches,” the league stated.
