Clubs grapple with indemnities as NNL kicks off

The league initially scheduled to kick off on May 2 was shifted by two weeks by the board when it allegedly received appeals from at least 13 clubs for the kick off date to be shifted to enable them complete their registrations.
Consequently, several weeks after the draws was made, the league will be starting this weekend. However, even as the kick off will go on as planned, there is a nagging issue which the clubs are still grappling with.
The decision by the board of the NNL that the clubs should take responsibility for the payment of referees indemnities has not gone down well with the clubs that are taking part in the league.
Some of the club officials who spoke to SHOT! On condition of anonymity condemned the decision saying it will only encourage the win at home by all means syndrome.
The officials expressed disappointment that the saying that he who pays the piper dictates the tune will certainly come to play and visiting teams may be denied fair officiating by unscrupulous referees.
An official of one of the Abuja national league clubs said going by the present arrangement, it will be very difficult for home teams to lose matches because they will always enjoy some support from the referees.
“It is not the best decision. It will create additional problems. Allowing clubs to pay referees indemnities will only encourage poor officiating.
The home teams will always get favourable officiating because they are the ones who would pay the referees.
“If I had my way, NNL wouldn’t have left the payment of referees to clubs. There is no way the arrangement will not cause problems for visiting clubs,” he said.
Another club official said by taking that decision, the NNL has not helped the league. He said there is bound to be problems as he said matches will not be officiated fairly.
“Forget about fair officiating for visiting clubs. The club that foots the bills of the referees will surely get the sympathy of the arbiters.
“If I have my way, no club would be saddled with the responsibility of paying the referees indemnities. It does not make sense”.
However, when contacted on the issue of payment of referees indemnities which the clubs are grumbling over, the chairman of the Nigeria National League, High Chief Emeka Inyama said it is only a temporary arrangement.
He said the decision was taken to ensure that the league kicks off this weekend as scheduled. He explained that the NNL is discussing with the Nigeria Football Federation for the football governing body to support it with funds to run the league.
Inyama assured that as soon as there is a break through, the NNL will take over the payment of indemnities of the referees.
He also said even if there is no favourable response from the NFF, the clubs would still get financial aid from a different source.
The NNL chairman therefore assured that the league which has suffered two postponements will start this afternoon after all the impediments which have bedeviled the early kick-off have been resolved including the decision to allow clubs to pick the bills of the match officials for now.
“First and foremost the league is starting this weekend. We are working out something with the Nigeria Football Federation. They want to help us with some money to start the league. If they give us of course they (clubs) won’t have to pay referees indemnities.
“But if we don’t get, we would share the sponsorship money from one of our sponsors to the clubs to help them to start paying. As soon as money comes we take over. This is how we have worked it out. The league must take off,” he said.
Inyama however regretted the late commencement  of the 2014/2015 NNL season but assured that all the lost ground will be recovered, pointing out that the delay was occasioned by the month-long general elections in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, tough fixtures will herald the kick-off of the season across Nigeria with Kaduna United FC hosting Adamawa United at Ahmadu  Bello Stadium, Kaduna.
Elsewhere, Plateau United will play host to Yobe Desert Warriors FC in Jos just as Supreme Court FC of Abuja will travel to Dutse to confront Jigawa Golden Stars FC.
Spotlight FC of Katsina State who lost promotion ticket on the final day of last season will be guest of Kogi United in Lokoja in what promises to be an entertaining fixture.
Clubs like Gombe United, Nembe City, Kaduna United and Crown FC which were demoted from the premier league to the lower division will lead the chase for the four promotion tickets from Group A1, Group A2 and Group B1 and B2.
Kogi United, Kaduna United F.C., Adamawa United F.C., Plateau United, Yobe Desert Stars, Jigawa Golden Stars, Supreme Court, Spotlight F.C. make up Group A1.
Group A2 is the group of death with ABS F.C., Gombe United F.C., Mighty Jets of Jos, Niger Tornadoes, Court of Appeal, Ranchers Bees, FRSC FC and Sokoto United
Group B1 has Crown FC, Abia Comets, Remo Stars, Ikorodu United FC, Go Round FC, Bussdor United F.C., Ekiti United, and Prime F.C.
Akwa Starlets FC, Atiba United, Bendel Insurance, Gateway United F.C., MFM FC, First Bank F.C., Nembe City F.C., J. Atete FC are in Group B2.