Rivers United Football Club have reacted to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) decision concerning their Matchday 11 fixture against Rangers International, insisting that all actions taken ahead of the encounter were preceded by appropriate engagements.
In an official statement signed by the club’s Media Director, Charles Mayuku, Rivers United acknowledged receipt of the summary jurisdiction decision issued by the NPFL over the fixture played on Sunday, November 1.
The Port Harcourt-based club maintained that its actions were guided by the need to ensure the orderly conduct of the match and protect the interests of all stakeholders.
Rivers United also reaffirmed their commitment to professionalism, insisting that they would continue to operate within the league’s regulations while respecting its regulatory, commercial and broadcasting frameworks.
However, the club used the opportunity to highlight what it described as the need for stronger collaboration between the NPFL, participating clubs and broadcast partners, particularly regarding match scheduling and communication.
According to a statement signed by Charles Mayuku, the club’s Media Director, Rivers United, effective communication and cooperation are essential to preventing disruptions and safeguarding the integrity of the competition.
The club further called for a fair and balanced distribution of live television coverage among all 20 NPFL teams, arguing that selective broadcasting coverage undermines the development of the league and deprives Nigerian football supporters of access to matches involving their preferred clubs.
A major concern raised in the statement was the alleged failure to fulfil commitments contained in the Media and Broadcast Initiative (MBI) agreement.
Rivers United explained that the agreement was designed to guarantee comprehensive coverage of league fixtures, including matches such as Niger Tornadoes versus Barau FC.
The club, however, alleged that the commitment was not fulfilled, adding that no justification, apology or sanction had followed the development.
Emphasising the importance of accountability, Rivers United insisted that any breach of an agreement should be treated equally, irrespective of the party responsible.
“A breach of any agreement remains a breach, regardless of the party responsible. Accountability must apply equally,” the statement read.
Despite their reservations, the Nigeria Premier Football League side assured supporters of their continued commitment to competing with integrity, representing Rivers State with pride and engaging constructively with the league and its partners.
The club’s response comes amid renewed conversations about broadcasting arrangements, regulatory compliance and the relationship between clubs and league administrators as the NPFL continues its 2026/2027 campaign.
