The Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Gbenga Elegbeleye, has emphasized that transparency, credibility, and improved referee motivation are essential to making the league attractive to investors.
Speaking during a roundtable discussion with NPFL reporters in Akure, Elegbeleye reiterated the league’s commitment to maintaining high standards and ensuring strict adherence to rules without favoritism.
“From the beginning of next season, we are going to do an upward review of players’ salaries,” Elegbeleye stated, highlighting the league’s efforts to improve welfare and professionalism among players and officials.
He stressed the importance of checks and balances in the league’s administration, adding that zero tolerance for violence or thuggery at match venues remains a top priority.
To enhance officiating, the NPFL has introduced communication gadgets for referees and is laying the groundwork for implementing Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology. “Plans are ongoing to train young referees on how to use VAR. All our referees are graduates from higher institutions,” he revealed.
Elegbeleye also outlined measures to ensure fair play, including the deduction of three points from teams involved in misconduct and financial penalties to prevent intimidation of visiting teams.
“Since we started reducing three points, it is the home teams that are now protecting away teams. The ‘home team must win’ syndrome has reduced drastically. On match day one of the current season, we recorded no fewer than four away wins,” he said.
He expressed optimism about the league’s future, stating, “We must insist on the rule and not compromise standards to get it right. There are lots of investors who are ready to partner with us for the growth of the league.”
With these reforms and a focus on integrity, the NPFL is poised to attract greater investment and raise the profile of Nigerian football.
