The league says Rivers United denied its broadcast partner access for the 1-1 draw with Rangers on Matchday 11, but the club says it followed the league’s own schedule.
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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has handed Rivers United a suspended fine of ₦15 million, along with a suspended three point and three goal deduction. The sanctions relate to the club’s Matchday 11 home game against Rangers International, which ended 1-1 on Sunday, November 1.
The NPFL says Rivers United denied its broadcast partner, Murphy Ben International (MBI), access to the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt. The fixture had already been advertised for live television coverage, and the league says the disruption interfered with its broadcasting operations.
NPFL Chief Operating Officer Dr Ayo Abdulrahman signed the summary jurisdiction decision. He described the club’s refusal as a serious violation of league regulations, and he said such conduct damages the league’s commercial agreements, its integrity and its reputation.
The league relied on Section B, Rules 6.22 and 6.23 of its Framework and Rules. Those rules give the broadcast rights owner exclusive and unrestricted access to all league venues without prior notice, and Rule 6.23 allows a fine of up to ₦15 million plus a deduction of three points and three goals.
A Final Warning, Not A Punishment
The NPFL stopped short of imposing the full penalty. It considered some of the circumstances around the incident and issued Rivers United a formal and final warning, which means the sanctions only take effect if the club breaks the broadcasting rules again this season.
The league added that the suspension does not stop it from imposing further penalties where necessary. It also stressed that access for authorised broadcast partners is a regulatory obligation and not something an individual club can approve or refuse. Fans who follow the title race can check Bet9ja’s promotion for NPFL punters before the weekend.
Rivers United have given a different account. In a statement signed by Media Director Charles Mayuku on November 1, the club said it acted on an email from the NPFL dated October 30, which indicated that the Rangers game was not part of the official live-streaming schedule.
The club also pointed to the circulated Matchday 11 broadcast schedule, which did not carry the MBI designation against its fixture. It insisted that it refused no television crew and that it remains committed to supporting the league’s efforts to expand TV coverage.
A Season Of Sanctions
The decision is the latest in a series of disciplinary actions this season. Warri Wolves were fined ₦4.25 million, docked three points and three goals, and ordered to play three home games behind closed doors after an assault on a match official following their fixture with Kano Pillars.
Inter Lagos received a ₦5 million fine and the same points and goals deduction after officials were assaulted following their 1-1 draw with Katsina United on October 4. The league also ordered the club to pay ₦250,000 in compensation to the affected assistant referee.
Earlier in February, Kwara United were fined ₦9 million, docked three points and three goals, and told to play their remaining home games at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta after crowd violence in a fixture against Rivers United. NPFL fans who enjoy forecasting results can try the Super9ja prediction contest alongside the next round.
On the pitch, Rivers United remain joint leaders with Rangers after the 1-1 draw. Their first defeat of the season came on Matchday 10, when Bendel Insurance beat them 2-1 in Benin, and they now face Sporting Lagos on Saturday, November 7, at 4pm.
The stakes are clear. With two sides level at the top, a three point deduction would be a heavy blow in a tight title race, so Rivers United cannot afford another dispute over broadcast access.
The league’s message to every club is just as clear. Television partners must be able to work at any venue without delay, and any club that gets in the way risks serious penalties.
New Bet9ja users who like to follow the NPFL race can read about Bet9ja’s YOHAIG sign-up reward before the next fixtures.
📌 Did You Know?
- Rule 6.23 of the NPFL Framework and Rules allows a fine of up to ₦15 million plus a three-point and three-goal deduction for obstructing a broadcast.
- Rivers United’s statement was signed by Media Director Charles Mayuku on November 1, the day of the game.
- Inter Lagos were ordered to pay ₦250,000 in compensation to an assistant referee on top of their ₦5 million fine.
- Kwara United’s home games were moved to Abeokuta in February after crowd violence in a match against Rivers United.
- Rivers United’s only defeat so far this season came away at Bendel Insurance on Matchday 10.
