Rivers United To Petition NFF, LMC Over Position

Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt has threatened to petition Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and League Management Company (LMC) to CAF and FIFA, following what the club perceived as unfair treatment.
LMC at the weekend published on its website the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League NPFL final table, that saw United occupied third position, against its second place,  after NFF and LMC applied  Points Per Game (PPG) model.
The NPFL was stopped aprutly occasioned by the novel Coronavirus ( Covid 19)  with 13 matches to end the season.
Management of the Port Harcourt, headed by Okey Kpalukwu,  is not comfortable with the third place, saying that they need proper explanation and the formula used for Enyimba of Aba to occupy second position.
This was contained in a statement signed by the General Manager of the club, Okey Kpalukwu, made available to Tidesports yesterday.
According to the statement, it is obvious that United is on second position and amount of false narratives will deceive those who should know.
“We may be compelled to explore all legitimate means available, including formal petition to CAF, FIFA, CAS to ventilate our grievances and press for justice” Kpalukwu said.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the captain of the club, Festus Austin, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, he said the decision taken by LMC is unjust and biased.
He explained that there are no possibilities that Enymba will beat United home and away, saying that the formula used to place Enyimba on second position is still in misery.
“What I discovered here is high level of foul play and favoritism in LMC. I also understand that before this final table came out LMC and NFF have already sent names of clubs that will compete in various competitions to CAF” Austin said.
Before the League stopped unplanned League leaders Plateu United has played 25, with 49 points, Rivers United played 25, with 45points; Lobi Stars played 23, with 43 points, Rangers FC, played 23, with 37 points, while Enyimba played 20, with 36 points.

By: Tonye Orabere