The last may not have been heard about the ending of the 2019/20 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season as third placed Rivers United have now vowed to take their case against the application of the Points Per Game (PPG) table to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), www.aclsports.com reports.
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had on Tuesday stated their position on the PPG saga through their Football Committee, reinforcing the League Management Company (LMC)’s stance on their manner of placing Enyimba in 2nd place and Rivers United in 3rd.
That had seemed as what would be the final position on the matter but Port Harcourt based Rivers United have now disagreed with the football ruling house and have stated that they will take the case to CAS.
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At a Press Conference in Port Harcourt on Thursday afternoon, Rivers State Commissioner for Sports Boma Iyaye described the development as “a clear case of injustice and undue victimization”.
The LMC and Rivers United had traded claims and counter claims in the past weeks over the tie-breaking module employed for the PPG but after NFF’s ratification of the former’s position on Tuesday, Rivers United say they will go further in their quest for justice.
“In the light of this development, the Rivers State government, sponsors of Rivers United Football Club is compelled to seek the proper interpretation of the applicable rules, and a pronouncement on the propriety or otherwise of the actions and decisions of the LMC on the matter, from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
“We are eager for justice and determined to protect Rivers people and its interest….,” said Iyaye at the Rivers State Secretariat.
The long serving Commissioner also called on Nigeria’s Minister for Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare to wade into the matter.
The Press Conference came shortly after the newly elected Executive Committee of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Rivers State chapter, led by the new chairman Udede Jim-Opiki paid a courtesy call on the commissioner and his Permanent Secretary, Sir Honour Sirawoo.
