Niger Tornadoes Avoid Sanctions Over Unpaid Player Wages

Niger Tornadoes have defied an NPFL ruling ordering payment of ₦1.35M in unpaid wages to Anthony Micheal, raising questions about the league’s failure to enforce its own sanctions six months after judgment.

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is facing scrutiny for failing to enforce its own ruling against Niger Tornadoes, who are yet to pay former player Anthony Micheal Adoyi outstanding wages despite a judgment issued earlier this year.

In a letter dated January 26, 2025, the NPFL ordered Niger Tornadoes to pay Adoyi ₦1,350,000, warning that failure to comply would activate Rule 9.45 of the NPFL Framework, which prohibits defaulting clubs from registering new players.

Six months later, the payment remains unsettled, and no sanctions have been imposed, raising questions about the league’s commitment to upholding disciplinary measures.

“It’s been tough for me and my family. My wife, siblings, and aged father all depend on me,” Adoyi told Sports247.

“I spoke with my agent today, and he just told me to stay calm and trust that the NPFL will make sure I get paid before the new season kicks off.”

Expressing his frustration, the midfielder added: “Right now, it’s only God we Nigerian players can leave everything to. Even NPFL doesn’t care about us. You saw Ideye’s post recently; we are just suffering in Nigerian football.”

The NPFL had previously assured Adoyi that the unpaid amount would be deducted from Niger Tornadoes’ monetary grants before the end of the 2024/2025 season.

However, to date, neither the club nor the league has provided any updates or resolved the matter.

This unresolved case has sparked debate among football stakeholders, who question why Niger Tornadoes appear exempt from disciplinary action despite violating NPFL regulations.

Sports247.ng