Moses Etu has called on the NPFL to prioritize players’ welfare following FIFA’s transfer ban on Heartland FC, Sports247 reports.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has come under fresh scrutiny after FIFA imposed a transfer ban on Heartland FC of Owerri over unpaid wages owed to former Ivorian player, N’goran Roland Adjoumani Koffi.
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The sanction, announced by FIFA’s Head of Disciplinary, Americo Espallargas, bars the club from registering new players for three consecutive transfer windows until all outstanding payments are settled.
Former Warri Wolves chairman, Moses Etu, described the development as “a shame” and a reflection of how poorly the NPFL treats its players.
According to him, the situation exposes the lack of professionalism, weak contract enforcement, and systemic neglect that have long plagued Nigerian club football.
“We are not really running a professional league in Nigeria,” Etu told Vanguard.
“The only progress I’ve seen under the current board is improved officiating. But when it comes to players’ welfare, it’s zero. Some players earn as little as ₦250,000 or ₦300,000 monthly, including accommodation, and even that is often unpaid for months.” He lamnented.
Etu urged the NPFL board to adopt stricter financial compliance measures similar to those in the banking sector.
“Every club should have an officer responsible for monitoring salaries and ensuring payments. If a team defaults, the league should act immediately instead of waiting for FIFA to intervene,” he said.
He further described the FIFA sanction as “an embarrassment” and a wake-up call for Nigerian football authorities.
“It’s a shame that it takes FIFA to remind us of our responsibilities. Until we make players’ welfare a top priority, we’ll keep losing our best talents and struggling in continental competitions,” he concluded.
