Kun Khalifat of Owerri have announced their withdrawal from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), citing what it described as unfair and disproportionate sanctions imposed on the club by league authorities, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Pride of Imo, as they are fondly called, were sanctioned by the league body for failing to honour their match day 24 game against Elkanemi Warriors on Monday. In the sanctions, three goals and three points were awarded to the home side, while a suspended fine of ₦10 million was handed to them.
In response to the sanction(s), the club expressed disappointment and frustration over penalties handed down for failing to honour a single league fixture. The club said it had presented what it believed were valid reasons for being unable to fulfil the fixture, but claimed the league rejected its explanations.
“This punishment is not only unacceptable but a clear indication that the league’s management is more interested in penalising clubs than fostering growth and development,” the statement read.
“As a club, we have always strived to comply with the league’s rules and regulations and have made significant investments in our team and infrastructure,” the statement added. “It is disheartening to see our efforts undermined by an organisation that seems to prioritise punishment over fairness and justice.”
Describing the decision as unavoidable, the club said it could no longer remain part of a system that, in its view, prioritises revenue over development and the welfare of its member clubs.
Kun Khalifat FC also urged fellow clubs to push for reforms and increased accountability within the NPFL, stressing that Nigerian football must progress in a more transparent and development-focused manner.
EDITOR’s NOTE
What are the implications?
According to the NPFL Rules and Framework, any club that withdraws from the league will be demoted to the fourth division.
Kun Khalifat will also have all their previous games this season voided, meaning that all the teams that garnered points in games against them will have them deducted from their total accruable points.
There is also a token of N3m fine to be paid by Kun Khalifat whenever they want to resume any league football.
