The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has issued a final warning to clubs indebted to players and coaches, directing them to settle all outstanding salary obligations and comply with the decisions of the Players Status and Arbitration Committee (PSAC) by July 31, 2026, or risk an automatic transfer ban ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The directive is contained in the NPFL’s comprehensive 2026/27 Calendar of Events, where one of the key pre-season requirements stipulates a cut-off date for clubs to redeem all outstanding salaries arising from the 2025/26 campaign or provide an acceptable financial guarantee covering the debts alongside a structured repayment plan from club proprietors.
The calendar also lists compliance with club licensing regulations, payment of players’ and officials’ salaries, and inspection of club facilities among the mandatory pre-season activities before the new campaign begins on August 28, 2026.
Under the new enforcement measures, any club that fails to meet the July 31 deadline will not be permitted to register new players during the first transfer window, with an automatic transfer ban remaining in force until full compliance is achieved.
Checks indicate that at least 12 of the 20 NPFL clubs are currently affected by PSAC rulings over unpaid salaries and other contractual obligations.
Despite several months having passed since the committee delivered its judgments, many of the affected clubs are yet to comply with the directives.
The latest move underscores the NPFL’s determination to strengthen professionalism and financial discipline across the league, ensuring clubs meet their contractual responsibilities before participating in the new season.
The salary clearance deadline also aligns with the sweeping reforms recently approved by the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which introduced a ₦2 million monthly minimum salary for NPFL players, enhanced club licensing requirements, and stricter financial accountability measures.
With less than a month remaining before the compliance deadline, the affected clubs now face a race against time to clear their debts or risk beginning the 2026/27 campaign without the ability to register new signings.
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