ANDREW EKEJIUBA
The Nigeria National League (NNL) has advised all clubs to begin preparations and modalities for the commencement of the new season.
The NNL in a message to all participating clubs urged them to include full implementation of the COVID-19 rules and regulations.
NNL in the message signed by its Chief Operating Officer, Emmanuel Adesanya, said full compliance by clubs will be monitored on weekly basis.
The statement reads as follows: “Please, accept the compliments and warm sporting regards from the chairman, management and staff of the Nigeria National League.
“This is to humbly inform you that the Federal Government, in keeping with the gradual opening of the lock down, has directed that football activities should commence but with full and strict compliance to the COVID-19 protocols.
“In view of the foregoing, the Nigeria National League management wishes to advise all clubs that preparations and modalities for the commencement of the new season should begin immediately at club level.
“This should however, include full implementation of COVID-19 rules and regulations.
“Please, note that the NNL will as a matter of concern monitor your level of compliance and implementation of COVID-19 on weekly basis.
The NNL however said there is no date yet for the commencement of the new season until approval from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
“It is also pertinent to apprise you that the NNL is an affiliate of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and as a result abide by the timetable of the federation.
“The NNL management will however communicate to you on the calendar for the 2020/2021 league season as may be approved by the NFF.”
Meanwhile, the League Management Company (LMC) has asked all Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Participating Clubs to submit their respective licensing application.
LMC said the licensing application is a compulsory requirement for all clubs intending to participate in the 2020/21 NPFL season.
According to a statement issued by the LMC to all clubs, they are expected to, as from September 18th, begin submission of licensing applications with supporting document.
The NPFL organisers said it had already sent notification to the clubs in a letter dated August 6, 2020 and part of the statement read as follows:
“Following the removal of the restriction on football activities by the Federal Government through the COVID-19 Task Force.
”The League Management Company (LMC) on Monday wrote to the clubs providing guidelines for license application in line with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Licensing regulations/conditions.
“An action plan and check list to guide the clubs through the process indicates that the LMC and the clubs will hold virtual meetings from Wednesday, September 10 to 18 to assist the clubs on how to carry out documentation for licensing.
“The Clubs are expected to as from September 18th begin submission of licensing applications with supporting document while spot checking of the clubs by the First Instant Body (FIB) under the jurisdictions of the LMC to verify submissions made, holds from September 21-26.
“According to the action plan, a meeting of the FIB has been scheduled for September 30 with the outcome of its decisions released on October 2 while clubs that may not be satisfied with any decisions of the FIB are to file appeals not later than October 7.
“The Appeals Body (AB) under the jurisdictions of the NFF is to meet on October 12 to rule of possible appeals that may be filed and release the decisions on October 14.
“The Final decisions will be communicated to CAF by October 16 in line with CAF regulations.
“Chairman of LMC, Shehu Dikko, who is also a member of the CAF Organising Committee for Inter-Clubs Competitions and Clubs Licensing Management, enjoined the clubs to take advantage of the week long virtual meetings to prepare all necessary documentation to qualify for licensing.
“Licensing criteria will cover Financial, Legal, Administrative, Infrastructure, Commercial, Health and safety, Personnel, among others.
“The NFF Club Licensing regulation/conditions have been in place since 2014 and has seen a gradual/phased application in line with the best international practices as the seasons progressed.”