NANPF Urges NFF to Convene PSAC Sitting Over Contract Dispute Backlog

The National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers (NANPF) has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to immediately convene the Players’ Status and Arbitration Committee (PSAC) to clear a growing backlog of unresolved contractual disputes involving players, coaches and clubs.

In a letter dated September 23, 2026, the players’ union expressed concern that 13 days after its initial request, the NFF Secretariat had yet to take action on the matter.

NANPF said ongoing administrative changes within the federation should not prevent football stakeholders from accessing the mechanisms established to resolve employment and contractual disputes.

The union referenced Articles 59 and 60 of the NFF Statutes (2022), as well as Article 57(2) of the FIFA Statutes, arguing that the relevant provisions require the existence of a functional and independent arbitration mechanism.

According to NANPF, the PSAC’s statutory responsibilities remain in force irrespective of the individuals occupying leadership positions within the NFF.

The union also drew attention to the impact of the delays on footballers, particularly players facing months of unpaid salaries, bonuses and other contractual entitlements.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” NANPF stated, describing the PSAC as a critical avenue of redress for players whose livelihoods and careers are affected by unresolved contractual disputes.

The union called on the Acting General Secretary of the NFF to demonstrate executive leadership by convening an emergency sitting of the PSAC within seven days to consider all pending cases.

NANPF further warned that failure to act within the stipulated period would leave the union with no option but to escalate the matter to FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the international players’ union, FIFPRO.

The correspondence was copied to the Chairman of the PSAC, FIFA’s Member Associations Department and FIFPRO Africa.

The latest intervention adds to growing concerns over the timely resolution of contractual disputes within Nigerian football, with NANPF maintaining that institutional processes for protecting players’ rights must remain operational despite changes within the federation’s administration.

For the players’ union, the immediate issue is not the identity of those occupying positions within the NFF, but whether the mechanisms established to provide redress to players, coaches and clubs are functioning as required.