The NPFL has described claims being made by Total Promotions Limited on the broadcast rights of the Nigeria Premier Football League as “baseless….they lack any factual or legal merit.”
The letter to the Partnerships & Platform/Digital Services department of MTN Nigeria Communications PLC dated 20th November 2023 and signed by the NPFL Board’s Secretary, Barrister Danladi Ibrahim, “The Nigeria Premier League Ltd/Gte (RC no: 6862169) is an independent entity with the exclusive responsibility of organising the Nigeria Premier Football League.
This league is distinct from the Nigeria Professional Football League and the Nigeria Premier League, which were previously managed by the League Management Company Limited and the Nigeria Football League Limited, respectively.”
Total Promotions had written to the Commercial and Legal departments of the Telecoms giants in October of 2023 claiming ownership of the Broadcast Rights to the Nigerian Premier League and the Nigeria Football League. The letter signed by Mr Niyi Alonge submitted documents backing their ownership of these rights but also went on to bring into the argument the authorities or existence of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and the legality of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
the NPFL response: “On the issue of the legal status of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Article 19 of the FIFA Statutes makes express provision that each member association shall manage its affairs independently and without undue interference from third parties (including governments).
Consequently FIFA only recognises the NFF, but does not accord any recognition to the NFA as constituted under the (NFA Act) as its administrative structure under the act contravenes the FIFA Statutes.”
The Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye – led Board made it very clear that they understood the concerns of MTN following the letter from Total Promotions Limited but advise that MTN should “disregard the baseless claims made by Total Promotions Limited as they are lack any factual or legal remit.”
