Rivers United handed suspended ₦15m fine after NPFL broadcast disruption

Rivers United have been given a suspended fine of ₦15 million by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after their fixture against Rangers International was prevented from being broadcast live on Sunday.

The sanction follows an incident involving the Port Harcourt-based club that disrupted the live transmission of the match, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The NPFL has warned Rivers United that any repeat of the offence will lead to more severe punishment. That could include the forfeiture of three points and three goals.

Although the fine has been suspended, the league’s decision is intended to deter Rivers United and other NPFL clubs from taking action that interferes with the competition’s broadcast arrangements.

The league has continued to stress that clubs must follow its regulations, particularly those governing match-day operations and broadcast rights.

The latest disciplinary action comes as the NPFL seeks to increase its commercial value and provide uninterrupted live coverage of its fixtures.

Rivers United’s sanction therefore relates not only to the disruption caused during the match against Rangers International, but also to the league’s wider requirement that clubs comply with the arrangements supporting its broadcasts.