New NPFL Champions To Earn 100 Million Naira, How Abridged League Will Play – Elegbeleye

IMC Chairman Gbenga Elegebeleye (PICTURED being sworn in by NFF President) has disclosed that the next NPFL champions will pocket a cash prize of 100 Million Naira, while also giving details of how the abridged season will play.

“We have 100 Million Naira for the winners of the new season and all the clubs will also get our financial support to start the season,” Elegbeleye said in a radio interview.

Defunct LMC promised last season champions Rivers United a cash prize of 50 Million Naira and this was not paid.

It is also owing referees over 500 Million Naira as indeminities for the past three years.

Former Sunshine Stars Chairman Elegbeleye also gave more information as it concerns the abridged league for the new season, which Club Owners have rejected even though an abridged format was used in 2019.

He said the fixtures draw will be staged in Abuja by 2pm Wednesday at the Sandralia Hotel.

The 20 clubs will be divided into three groups with no two clubs from the state in the same group.

A post-regular season Super 6 tournament will thereafter decide the new league champions.

Sponsors will pay the referees directly and clubs will be docked points for crowd trouble at their home games.

“We want to be professional in everything we’re doing so as to change the narrative as it concerns the league,” assured Elegbeleye.

The IMC boss said an abridged NPFL was most realistic because 2023 is a General Elections year in Nigeria and the target is for the season to end in May.

The new NPFL season will kick off January 8, 2023.