NPFL Slaps ₦1m Fine on Clubs Whose Head Coaches Skip Post-Match Pressers

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has thrown down the gauntlet to clubs ahead of the new season — head coaches must personally attend post-match press conferences or their clubs will face a ₦1 million fine.

This directive was made clear during a pre-season seminar in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Friday, where media officers, supporters’ club chairmen, and chief security officers were in attendance.

The NPFL insisted that the head coach’s voice is essential after matches, and delegating press duties to assistants will no longer be tolerated. According to the league body, this approach mirrors global football standards, where managers are held accountable and provide direct insight into their team’s performance.

The 2025/26 NPFL season kicks off on Friday, August 22, with holders Remo Stars squaring off against Rivers United in the opening game.

Opinion:
Frankly, this is a welcome move. Football is not only played on the pitch — it’s also lived in the stories, emotions, and explanations that follow the final whistle. When a head coach speaks, fans get clarity, the media gets credible information, and the league builds trust.

Too often in the NPFL, assistants have been sent to the firing line while the main tacticians stay silent. That’s like sending a backup singer to explain a concert performance — it just doesn’t hit the same. If enforced strictly, this rule will not only raise accountability but also help elevate the NPFL’s image in the eyes of the world.