NPFL Insists Heartland Did Not Buy Beyond Limits Slot, Enakhena Reveals Why Sporting Lagos Missed Out

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) board has stressed that there was no financial transaction involved in the decision to award the topflight slot of Beyond Limits Football Academy to relegated Heartland FC for the 2024-2025 season, which commenced last Saturday.

The NPFL announced on Tuesday that Beyond Limits Football Academy, which secured promotion to the top flight after winning the NNL in June, will not be allowed to participate due to concerns about potential conflicts of interest with Remo Stars.

Consequently, Beyond Limits will be returning to compete in the second tier again next season.

The NPFL stated, “We also need to clarify that there was no slot buying transaction, as such practices are explicitly prohibited under NPFL rules. The NPFL remains committed to upholding a fair and competitive league.

“While the NPFL rules do not explicitly foresee every scenario, the board has exercised its discretion, as permitted under the league’s governing documents, to ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of the league and its stakeholders.”

The NPFL also clarified that there was no exchange of money involved in this decision, as such practices are explicitly prohibited under NPFL rules.

The Ikenne-based Beyond Limits Football Academy accepted the board’s decision, expressing regret at not being able to participate in the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League season.

The club stated, “We respect the decision and are committed to continuing our development and growth as a team. As a result, we are pleased to confirm that Beyond Limits Football Academy will participate in the Nigeria National League for the 2024/25 season.”

As for Heartland FC, they have been gearing up for the new season with pre-season games. Their first game of the season is set to be against Enyimba at home.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the relegated Sporting Lagos, Godwin Enakhena, has stressed that the club rejected the offer to take the Beyond Limits slot due to the club’s goal.

Note that last season, Sporting Lagos finished 17th, meaning that they were the highest-ranked club among the relegated clubs. Hence, they were expected to be given the Beyond Limits slot if the NPFL wanted to follow last season’s league table ranking.

In the comments section on his Instagram post on Tuesday, September 3, Godwin Enakhena told a commenter that Sporting Lagos didn’t lose the slot due to financial limitations.

Enakhena said, “Owners rejected the offer, and it had nothing to do with money but organizational set targets and policy.”