NPFL Hands Rivers United ₦15m Suspended Fine, Threatens Three-Point Deduction Over Broadcast Dispute

NPFL Hands Rivers United ₦15m Suspended Fine, Threatens Three-Point Deduction Over Broadcast Dispute

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has handed Rivers United a suspended fine of ₦15 million and warned the club that it risks losing three points and three goals if it repeats an alleged breach of the league’s broadcasting regulations.

The disciplinary action followed the disruption of the live broadcast of Rivers United’s Matchday 11 encounter against Rangers International at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

The match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, was scheduled for live coverage by Murphy Ben International (MBI), the league’s broadcast partner.

In a summary jurisdiction decision communicated to Rivers United, the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Dr Ayo Abdulrahman, described the club’s alleged refusal to grant the broadcast crew access to the stadium as a serious violation of established league regulations.

The league maintained that denying MBI access amounted to unacceptable interference with its broadcasting operations and undermined its commercial arrangements, integrity and reputation.

Citing Sections B, Rules 6.22 and 6.23 of the NPFL Framework and Rules, the league emphasised that its broadcast rights owner is entitled to exclusive and unrestricted access to league venues for authorised coverage.

Rule 6.23 provides for a fine of up to ₦15 million, alongside a deduction of three points and three goals from a club found guilty of obstructing scheduled live coverage.

However, after considering the circumstances surrounding the incident, the NPFL opted to suspend the prescribed penalties while issuing Rivers United a formal and final warning.

The league stated that the suspended sanctions would become effective if the club commits another breach of the relevant broadcasting provisions during the ongoing season.

It further cautioned Rivers United against obstructing, restricting or denying authorised broadcast partners access to its stadium, stressing that compliance with broadcasting arrangements is a regulatory obligation and not a matter left to individual clubs’ discretion.

Rivers United Had Disputed Broadcast Allegations

The disciplinary decision comes amid conflicting accounts between Rivers United and its broadcast partner over the circumstances that prevented the match from being televised.

Following the incident, Murphy Ben International said its production crew was unable to cover the fixture because the club allegedly refused to grant its personnel access to the stadium.

However, Rivers United rejected the allegation, insisting that it neither prevented nor obstructed any television production crew.

In a statement signed by its Media Director, Charles Mayuku, the club explained that it acted on an email allegedly received from the NPFL on October 30, 2026, at approximately 8:09 p.m., indicating that the match against Rangers was not included in the official live-streaming schedule.

Rivers United maintained that it operated in accordance with the communication received from the league and had no intention of undermining the broadcasting arrangements.

The club also questioned the circumstances surrounding the scheduling of its fixtures for live coverage, disclosing that MBI had broadcast only two of its first 10 league matches during the season, both played in Port Harcourt.

However, the NPFL’s published Matchday 11 broadcast schedule listed the Rivers United versus Rangers encounter for live coverage on the MBI YouTube channel.

The conflicting accounts have raised questions about communication between the league, participating clubs and broadcasting partners, particularly regarding the confirmation and circulation of match-day coverage schedules.

NPFL Reaffirms Broadcasting Regulations

The latest decision reinforces the league’s position that clubs must respect its commercial broadcasting arrangements and provide authorised production teams with access to match venues.

The NPFL has continued to pursue greater visibility for Nigerian domestic football through improved broadcast coverage, with television and digital streaming regarded as important components of the competition’s commercial development.

The Rivers United incident has therefore highlighted the importance of clear communication and cooperation among the league, clubs and broadcast partners.

While the club has been spared the immediate deduction of points and goals, another violation during the ongoing campaign could activate the suspended penalties and potentially affect its position in the league standings.

The development comes as the NPFL continues efforts to strengthen its broadcasting operations and improve the accessibility of domestic football to supporters across Nigeria and beyond.