Players involved in cases before the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Players’ Status and Arbitration Committee (PSAC) have expressed growing frustration over the prolonged delay in the release of verdicts, more than 40 days after hearings were concluded.
READ ALSO: UNICAL Clinches Hosting Rights for 28th NUGA Games, Signs MoA
The PSAC sat from December 2 to 6, 2025, to deliberate on over 80 cases bordering on contractual disputes, wrongful termination and transfer-related issues, largely involving clubs in Nigeria’s top domestic leagues — the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), the Nigeria National League (NNL), the Nationwide League (NLO) and non league football Clubs/Academies
However, more than six weeks after proceedings ended, none of the committee’s decisions has been officially communicated to the affected parties or made public, sparking concern among players and stakeholders.
Reliable sources disclosed that the committee concluded its deliberations shortly after the sittings, with all statutory requirements reportedly fulfilled.
The verdicts, according to the sources, are said to have been submitted to the NFF secretariat for onward release, but remain unpublished.
Several affected players described the delay as “justice denied,” noting that the uncertainty surrounding their cases has severely disrupted their careers.
Speaking anonymously, one player whose club allegedly withheld his transfer clearance over a contractual disagreement said the delay has left his professional future in limbo.
“My career is on hold. I am waiting for my clearance, but nothing is happening. As we speak, my progress is being stunted. I need the verdict to move forward,” he said.
Another player, who claimed he was unlawfully dismissed by his club, said the lack of resolution has left him unemployed and financially strained.
“I was sacked illegally and I am waiting for the club to honour my contract, including payment for the remaining period. They have been playing hard to get. I am jobless right now, and justice delayed is truly justice denied,” he lamented.
The continued silence from the NFF has raised broader concerns about the integrity and efficiency of dispute resolution mechanisms in Nigerian football, with players urging the federation to act swiftly to restore confidence in the system.
Reacting to the situation, sports lawyer Dele Akinropo warned that undue delays in releasing verdicts can have far-reaching consequences.
“In football-related disputes, time is critical. A delayed judgment can effectively end a player’s career, especially where transfer windows, contract durations and livelihood are involved for example the Nigerian transfer windows ends in about 10days time and some players will still be stranded because of the delayed release of decisions,” Akinropo said.
“Prompt release of decisions is not just a legal obligation; it is essential to protect players’ rights and uphold confidence in the domestic football justice framework.”
As pressure mounts, stakeholders are calling on the NFF to immediately release the PSAC decisions to ensure fairness, protect careers and reaffirm trust in the governance of Nigerian football.
 Players’ Status and Arbitration Committee (PSAC)){kind=link}