Okaka FC Urges NFF To Bar Franceex FC From NLO Playoffs Amid Match-Fixing Probe
By Saheed Afolabi
Okaka Football Club who was earlier announced by the NLO as winner of the Maracana B Center and in line to participate in the promotional playoff have formally petitioned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Disciplinary Committee, urging the body to issue an immediate interim stay on Franceex FC’s participation in the upcoming NLO Super 8 Playoffs.
The appeal, signed by the solicitor of Okaka FC cited by our correspondent argues that allowing Franceex FC, currently under investigation for alleged match manipulation to participate in the crucial playoff round poses a grave threat to the fairness and integrity of the competition.
In a strongly worded letter dated July 9, 2025, Okaka FC’s counsel referenced a prior NLO decision which found both Franceex FC and Bison FC guilty of match manipulation, with glaring evidence from the match officials report, a ruling which was recently reversed pending further investigations.
The committee’s decision to allow the teams to participate in the playoffs despite the ongoing inquiry was met with firm opposition from Okaka FC.
“While we respect the Committee’s emphasis on fair hearing, we submit that participation in the playoffs is a privilege—not a right—especially when there is clear prima facie evidence of manipulation,” the petition read.
Among the evidence cited were:
Video footage suggesting deliberate gameplay errors that led to Franceex FC’s unusual 9-0 victory;
Contrasting performance patterns from previous matches;
Reports from the match commissioner and referee alleging suspicious conduct and verbal encouragement by Bison FC players for the opponents to score.
The letter draws comparisons to key rulings by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), referencing landmark cases involving Fenerbahçe S.K. and FC Metalist Kharkiv, where teams accused of match-fixing were provisionally excluded from continental tournaments pending investigation.
“CAS jurisprudence has consistently maintained that clubs under investigation for integrity breaches may be provisionally suspended to preserve the credibility of the competition,” the petition argued.
The legal team emphasized that if Franceex FC is allowed to compete and is later found guilty, Okaka FC and other playoff clubs would suffer irreparable sporting and financial damage.
The petition concluded with a formal request:
“We respectfully urge the Committee to issue an interim stay of Franceex FC’s participation, or suspend the commencement of the playoffs, until investigations are concluded and fair hearing is completed.”
Okaka FC’s counsel requested an expedited ruling by 12:00 p.m. on July 11, 2025, in order to advise the club on further legal options and allow all participating teams to plan accordingly.
