NPL: Away Clubs Cry Foul Over Directive

There are  fears
concerning fate of the remaining two fixtures of the 2011/2012 Nigeria Premier
League season following a sudden request by the management of the NPL to home
teams to settle the indemnities of the referees for their matches.

Tidesports leant yesterday that the management requested the
clubs, following its inability to raise funds, to come to its aid by helping it
offset the indemnities of match officials and their hotel bills for the Week 37
games scheduled to be played today.

The plea, which was made to the clubs via text messages on
Monday has not gone done well with clubs that will be playing away from home
today, as they alleged that the situation may create room for biased
officiating in favour of the host teams, desperate for victory.

It will be the  second
time that NPL will be begging clubs to take over their responsibility of paying
match officials this season.

At least four clubs, Rangers, Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars and
Enyimba International are locked in a tight race for the title and available
continental tickets in the league.