In a desperate bid to calm frayed nerves, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has offered to pay the affected clubs N3m while rescheduling the quarter-final games.
This decision was reached after the NFF, League Management Company (LMC) and the eight quarter-finalists met to resolve the growing crisis following the submission of Kwara United to the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) last week.
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The meeting which was chaired by the NFF 2nd Vice President Shehu Dikko was attended by representatives of the NFF, LMC and representatives of the clubs Kano Pillars, Katsina United , Heartland Fc , Wikki Tourist, Nasarawa United , Lobi Stars, Niger Tornadoes, while Kogi United Fc were absent with apology.
The meeting was to afford the disgruntled clubs the opportunity to discuss with the NFF towards resolving the dispute that followed Kwara United’s nomination as CAF Confederation Cup representatives, a spot reserved for Aiteo cup winners .
After hours of discussion, the meeting reached the following decisions in the spirit of fair play, to allow for the competition to continue and end well. The resolutions reached are that the quarter-final matches and the pairings, as well as the centres, be maintained except the Ilorin centre involving Heartland vs Katsina Utd that has been played which are to be played on 20th August, 2022.
The NFF also said that all the 8 quarter-finalists shall be refunded their expenses – N3m each as compensation while Katsina and Heartland if to replay, shall receive N5m each.
It was also agreed that the finalist and semi-finalist shall receive N1m and N2m each as subsidies respectively.
The eventual winner shall be compensated with an upward review of prize money with at least 50 per cent and shall automatically qualify to the Round of 16 in the 2022/2023 Aiteo Cup irrespective of whether they qualify from their state or not.
