LMC Reinstates Giwa FC Back To NPFL

The League Management Company of Nigeria (LMC),have on Wednesday recalled Giwa FC back into the Nigeria Football Professional League after they were expelled some months ago.

The decision came after a court in Jos ruled in favour of the Chris Giwa led team on Tuesday who have been challenging the LMC for discharging the team from participating in the league for missing three consecutive away games; which spells automatic expulsion.

An interim order from the court in Jos, Plateau state Nigeria, also directed the LMC to reschedule matches concerning the Jos side, which the league body confirmed that the process is presently been worked out.

Furthermore, players of Giwa FC who were allowed to join other clubs on a free transfer have all been directed by the LMC to return back to the team, while clubs that signed them have been warned not to feature them.

An official statement by the company on its official website on Wednesday read in part that it will “approach the court and have the interim order set aside and the suit dismissed by the court for being frivolous and without merits whatsoever.”

However, as a law abiding corporate entity, LMC has taken immediate steps to effect compliance with the directives of the Court, as contained in the Order, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice. To this end, kindly be advised that:

a. Giwa FC has been restored to the NPFL Table, while further processes are being activated to reschedule the matches concerning the Club, in accordance with the NPFL Framework and Rules, 2015/2016 Season;

b. No club shall henceforth feature any player whose registration it acquired on the basis of the expulsion of Giwa FC, as all such registrations are withdrawn.

The Full statement by the LCM

INTERIM COURT ORDER

RE:  EXPULSION OF GIWA FC FROM THE NIGERIA PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

 
17th August, 2016
Circular No.: 12/2016
To: All NPFL Clubs
Dear Club Chairmen/General Managers,

1. Giwa FC has been restored to
   the NPFL Table, while further processes are being activated to
   reschedule the matches concerning the Club, in accordance with the NPFL
   Framework and Rules, 2015/2016 Season;
2. No club shall henceforth
   feature any player whose registration it acquired on the basis of the
   expulsion of Giwa FC, as all such registrations are withdrawn.

Yours sincerely,
Shehu Dikko
Chairman, League Management Company Ltd.