Rivers United Risk Three-Point Deduction Over MBI Broadcast Dispute Against Rangers

Rivers United could face a deduction of three points and three goals after their 1-1 draw with Rangers International in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) was not broadcast live as scheduled, triggering a dispute between the club and the league’s broadcast partner, Murphy Ben International (MBI).

The controversy centres on conflicting accounts over the television coverage of the Matchday 11 fixture played in Port Harcourt on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

MBI alleging that its production crew was denied access to the stadium, while Rivers United insists it neither prevented nor obstructed any broadcast personnel.

In its response, Rivers United said the fixture was not included in the official live-streaming schedule communicated to the club by the NPFL.

The club disclosed that it received an email from the league at approximately 8:09pm on October 30, indicating that the match was not scheduled for live coverage under the EuroMatch/NPFL arrangement.

Signed by Media Director Charles Mayuku, the statement maintained that the club acted in accordance with the league’s communication to avoid breaching official directives.

Rivers United also noted that MBI had covered only two of its 10 league matches this season, both played in Port Harcourt, while reaffirming its support for wider television coverage of NPFL matches across the country.

However, documents relating to the broadcast arrangements appear to contradict the club’s position.

An NPFL letter dated October 29, 2026, titled Broadcast Confirmation of Matchday 11 Live Games, listed Rivers United versus Rangers as Match No. 101, scheduled for November 1 at 4pm in Port Harcourt, with MBI designated as the broadcaster.

The fixture was also included in the league’s Matchday 11 broadcast schedule circulated on October 30, further indicating that it had been designated for live coverage.

This raises questions about the subsequent communication Rivers United says it received later that evening, particularly whether the league issued a revised schedule or whether conflicting instructions were circulated to the parties involved.

What the NPFL rules provide

The potential consequences are outlined in Sections 6.21 to 6.23 of the NPFL Framework and Rules, which establish the league’s authority over broadcast rights and clubs’ obligations to facilitate coverage.

Section 6.21 gives the NPFL exclusive responsibility for negotiating the league’s radio and television rights, while Section 6.22 grants the league’s broadcast rights owner exclusive and unfettered access to all league venues without prior notice.

More significantly, Section 6.23 prohibits clubs from hindering, prohibiting or causing delays or disruptions to the broadcast, transmission or recording of a match.

Under Section 6.23.1, a club found to have obstructed coverage of a scheduled live match is liable to a fine of up to ₦15 million, a deduction of three points and three goals from its accrued league tally.

The critical issue, therefore, is whether Rivers United breached the regulations or acted on an official communication that removed the fixture from the live broadcast schedule.

While MBI’s allegation and Rivers United’s defence present opposing accounts, the published schedule and the club’s explanation point to a communication gap that requires the NPFL’s intervention.

The league must establish which broadcast directive was valid, whether any amendment was formally communicated and whether the production crew was denied access despite the fixture’s inclusion in the live coverage schedule.

Until those issues are clarified, the possibility of sanctions remains, but Rivers United’s culpability cannot be presumed.

The 1-1 draw has settled the sporting contest, but the dispute over its missing television coverage could have significant implications for Rivers United and the NPFL’s enforcement of its broadcast regulations.