NNL ejects Gateway United, Malumfashi FC from national league

The Nigeria National League (NNL) has ejected Gateway United Football club of Abeokuta Ogun State and Malumfashi Football Club of Katsina State from the second tier division of Nigeria football.

The league body took the decision following their failure to comply with the terms and conditions of entry and participation for the 2023/2024 season as stipulated in the codified rules and regulations of NNL.

NNL Chief Operating Officer, Dr Ayo Abdulrahman disclosed that the two clubs have been statutorily withdrawn from the league for their financial inability and other club Licensing conditions for the season.

Dr. Abdulrahaman said the NNL board arrived at the decision after exhausting several waivers granted the clubs to enable them participate in the league.

“We did several circulars, phone calls and reminders to the clubs, yet they fell short of the NNL rule book requirements even after the league started”

“Statutorily we had to invoke relevant portions of the rule book articles (2.1,3.11 and 3.5) to withdraw the teams from participating in the league”

The development Dr Abdulrahaman strongly noted also means that Gateway United and Malumfashi forfeit their status as a professional clubs in the NNL.

Dr. Abdulrahaman who said the decision is without prejudice to the clubs, their financiers, owners Associates or supporters, noted that the clubs have a right if appeal to the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) within forty eight (48) hours of receipt of the letter of withdrawal.