NPL begs clubs to pay referees again

The management of the Nigeria Premier League has asked clubs to take responsibility for the indemnification of referees.

The reputation of the Nigeria Premier League has once again taken a downward plunge as the NPL management has requested Premier League clubs to come to its aid, by helping it offset the indemnities of match officials, for the week 37 game of the Nigeria Premier League scheduled to be played this mid-week.

The plea, which was made to the clubs via text messages on Monday morning, enjoined the clubs to take responsibility for the indemnification of match officials for match day 37, and also take care of their hotel bills.

This is not the first time this season the NPL has gone cap in hands, asking clubs to foot the bills of match officials.

Earlier in February, NPL management requested clubs to come to its aid in the indemnification of match officials for four weeks, amid an allegation of fraud that was levelled against the NPL's chief accountant Chief Joe Igbokwe for the misappropriation of N12,000,000 at the time.

This sudden request has, however, not gone down well with clubs that will be playing away from home this mid-week, as they allege that the situation may create room for biased officiating from referees in favour of the host teams, desperate to win at home, with two games left to play for.