NPFL to fine coaches who boycott post-match Interviews

Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Commissioners have been directed to ensure that all clubs and their Coaches complied fully with post-match protocols which includes interviews with Journalists.

Chairman of the NPFL, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye passed on the directive through the Matchday Situation Room where the league operations interact with Match Commissioners real time to ensure smooth matchday management.

“It is mandatory for Match Commissioners to ensure that Coaches and players appear for post-match interviews with the media”, Elegbeleye stated.

The Match Commissioners were further directed to include in their report any club and coach that refuses to honour post-match media chat.

“We expect reports of compliance or not from you as any defaulting coach will be sanctioned.

“Any Coach who fails to attend the post match interview with the media stands to be fined and such fine must be paid before the next game or such Coach won’t be allowed on the bench”, the NPFL Chairman warned.

He said it has become necessary to ensure full compliance with this provision of the NPFL Rules and Frameworks following increasing reports by the media partners that they are being denied of content.

“As the NPFL Board, it is our duty to ensure that stakeholders, especially our media partners are provided the platform to showcase the league through contents they generate from our games.

‘This also helps to take the league to fans who consume these contents on television, radio, social media and print”, Elegbeleye continued.

Some Coaches are known to storm out of the field in anger when their team loses. The monetary sanction is aimed to be a deterrent to curb such unsporting conducts.