NPFL: Why we suspended league action for Rivers United

Gbenga Elegbeleye, chairman of Nigeria Premier Football League , says the league was not suspended to give an undeserved advantage to Rivers United as widely claimed.

In April, the NPFL suspended the games for one month — after Week 32 — to enable the Port Harcourt club to play five outstanding matches due to its involvement in the African Confederation Cup where it reached the last eight before being stopped by defending champion USM Algeria. Elegbeleye said the premier league had resolved to ease Rivers United’s run on the continent by rescheduling its matches.“We couldn’t close our eyes to the need to encourage them by rescheduling games involving them. At the same time, we didn’t want the league to get to Week 36 or 37 where the teams that would be relegated would be known and the possibility of match-fixing won’t arise,” Elegbeleye said.

On Sunshine FC of Akure facing relegation after being leapfrogged by struggling Akwa United, Elegbeleye said there would not be any favoured side in the race. “The fact that I’m from Ondo has nothing to do with an Ondo team going down. If Sunshine goes down, so be it,” he said.Click on the link below to join TheCable Channel on WhatsApp for your Breaking News, Business Analysis, Politics, Fact Check, Sports and Entertainment News!

Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

NPFL suspends league action for Rivers UnitedThe Nation Newspaper NPFL suspends league action for Rivers United
Source: TheNationNews - 🏆 6. / 69 Read more »

NPFL announces four-week break for Rivers United to catch upRivers United’s continental adventure has seen a few games postponed because of logistical reasons
Source: PremiumTimesng - 🏆 3. / 78 Read more »

NPFL: Close fight offers returnees Rivers United title lifelineWith Rivers United out of continental competition, the race for the Nigeria Premier Football League title has become six-pronged; the Port
Source: thecableng - 🏆 2. / 80 Read more »

Rivers crisis: Why police are at Rivers Assembly quartersThe Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olatunji Disu, has explained the presence of police officers at the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters in Port Harcourt. Disu made the clarification in an exclusive interview with Channels Television, saying that the police were only at the Quarters to prevent any breach of law and order.
Source: DailyPostNGR - 🏆 11. / 59 Read more »

NPFL fines Kwara United N6m for broadcast breach, false informationThe Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, has imposed a N6 million fine on Kwara United for the disruption of live broadcast of their matchday 31 clash against Akwa United. Kwara United were also charged for providing false information which led to a fixture adjustment.
Source: DailyPostNGR - 🏆 11. / 59 Read more »

Explosion: Rivers HoR caucus condoles with families of victimsThe Rivers State House of Representatives caucus has condoled with families affected by the Rivers inferno.
Source: vanguardngrnews - 🏆 5. / 75 Read more »