Don’t sign attestation forms if owed, NFF warns NPFL players

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has warned Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) players against signing attestation forms if they are owed money by clubs.

The caution was contained in a recent circular issued by Davidson Owumi, CEO of NPFL following players’ protests over unpaid allowances and salaries over the years.

According to the circular, clubs are released from liability for arrears payable when players sign the attestation form.

“Note that the player registration exercise for the 2022/2023 season of the Nigeria Professional Football League is still ongoing. Be therefore informed that any contract player who signs an attestation document in furtherance of their registration may be estopped from making any further claims against the club involved.

“Note that the attestation document, which is a requirement for the registration of contract players is intended to help the league registration officers clarify the non-indebtedness of clubs to players. Therefore, a player who signs the attestation document discharges his club of liability for overdue payables to clear a pathway for registration.

“Players and their intermediaries or representatives are therefore advised on the implication of signing attestation documents, as players will from henceforth be held accountable for endorsements made in the stated document.

“Players are therefore enjoined to be professional in the discharge of their contractual obligations to their employers/clubs at all times, in order to be legally and justifiably grounded in their claims for overdue payables.

“Without prejudice to the above, all football clubs should note that nothing in the foregoing paragraphs shall constitute a waiver of their contractual obligation to their players as stated in Rule 89.45 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the date for the kick off for the upcoming season is yet to be announced.