Football Law and Ethics

Heartland FC of Owerri have been hit with a sweeping transfer ban by FIFA after failing to satisfy outstanding financial obligations to a former player. In a letter dated October 3, 2025, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee confirmed that Heartland neglected to comply with an earlier ruling (Ref. no. FPSD‑19817), which ordered the club to pay N’goran […]

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is poised to return to Serie A action after serving a two-month suspension for illegal betting. The ban, which began on August 18, 2025, following Udinese’s Coppa Italia match against Carrarese, saw Okoye miss six Serie A fixtures. He is now eligible to resume playing on October 19, 2025. The

FIFA has appointed Chadian official Alhadi Allaou Mahamat as the centre referee for the 2026 World Cup qualifying match between Lesotho and Nigeria’s Super Eagles. Mahamat will be assisted by fellow Chadians: Bogola Issa as first assistant referee, Moussa Hafiz as second assistant, and Abdelkerim Ousmane as fourth official. Kenyan official Alice Damaris Kimani was

Warri Wolves FC have been queried by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) over the suspension of their head coach, Napoleon Aluma. The league, in a letter signed by COO Davidson Owumi, directed the club to submit the contracts of all technical and management officials within 24 hours. The NPFL claimed that reports from the

Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel is on the brink of suspension following his fourth yellow card of the English Championship season. The Fenerbahçe loanee, currently impressing at Cardiff City, risks a one-match ban should he pick up another booking. Osayi-Samuel has been in strong form since arriving in South Wales, becoming a vital part of

The Nigeria National League (NNL) has prohibited Akwa United, Heartland FC, and several other indebted clubs from registering for the 2025–26 season. The decision follows the relegation of Akwa United and Heartland from the NPFL, and is tied to lingering financial liabilities. League administrators cited unpaid fees, outstanding fines, and unresolved contractual obligations as reasons

South Africa’s path in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers may be in jeopardy after they fielded ineligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena during their 2–0 win over Lesotho. Mokoena had already received two yellow cards in earlier Group C matches against Benin Republic and Zimbabwe making him automatically ineligible to feature in the Lesotho game under FIFA

Warri Wolves have been fined ₦1 million by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after failing to ensure prompt, adequate and effective security during their home match against Enugu Rangers at the Warri City Stadium. The delayed 4 p.m. kickoff highlighted significant lapses in matchday safety, prompting swift disciplinary action. The NPFL board has mandated

Reports indicate that three players, dubbed the NPFL’s “Bad Boys” from the opening day, have each begun three-match bans following disciplinary infractions at the start of the season. The suspensions were confirmed as the league got underway on 31 August 2024, marking an early and serious reminder of the rules in Nigeria’s top-flight football. Editorial

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has issued a stern warning to all clubs, players, and officials, prohibiting any form of betting on league matches. This directive aims to preserve the integrity of the game and ensure fair play throughout the competition. In a memo dated August 6, 2025, and signed by Chief Operating Officer