The Nationwide League One (NLO) has announced the suspension of the playoff tournament scheduled to take place at the Shagamu centre. This decision comes following an appeal filed by Positive FA against their withdrawal from the competition for failing to honor two matches during the regular season.
According to a memo sent to all participating clubs, the suspension will remain in effect until the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Appeal Committee delivers its verdict on the matter.
"The NLO Secretariat hereby wish to inform all the concerned clubs scheduled for promotion playoff in Shagamu that the matches has been suspended due to a pending appeal submitted by Positive FA decision of NLO summary jurisdiction on the withdrawal of their team for not honouring two matches during the season," read part of the official communication.
The playoff tournament was set to feature four teams competing for promotion: Morak FC, Ekiti United, Adeyemi FC, and Hammola FC. These clubs will now have to wait for a new date to be communicated after the resolution of the appeal.
This development adds to recent controversies in the NLO, which has previously taken disciplinary actions against several clubs. Earlier this season, the league expelled Campos FC and A&A Kiviasennus for match manipulation, while also investigating match-fixing allegations at the Maracana Centre.
The NLO's decision to withdraw Positive FA was initially based on the team's failure to honor multiple matches during the season, a violation of league regulations that typically results in automatic disqualification.
Football stakeholders across Nigeria are now watching closely as the NFF Appeal Committee deliberates on this case, which could set a precedent for how similar situations are handled in the future.
The NLO is expected to announce a revised schedule for the playoff tournament once the appeal process is concluded.
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