Kun Khalifat Football Club have confirmed their immediate withdrawal from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after being sanctioned for failing to honour a league fixture.
The club made the announcement in an official statement, expressing “great disappointment and frustration” over the disciplinary measures imposed by the league.
The NPFL had punished the club for missing a match, docking them three points and three goals while also issuing a ₦10 million fine. However, Kun Khalifat described the decision as excessive and reflective of a system they believe prioritizes punishment over the development of clubs.
This decision follows the outrageous and disproportionate sanctions imposed upon our club for failing to honour a single match fixture,” the statement read. The punishment is not only unacceptable but a clear indication that the league’s management is more interested in penalizing clubs than fostering growth and development.
The club insisted it had communicated valid reasons for its inability to fulfill the fixture but claimed its explanation was rejected. According to the statement, the ruling lacked transparency and showed little consideration for the operational challenges faced by teams.
Kun Khalifat further noted that they have consistently worked to comply with league regulations and invested heavily in both the squad and infrastructure, making the outcome particularly discouraging.
It is disheartening to see our efforts being undermined by an organization that seems to prioritize punishment over fairness and justice,” the club added.
Citing the league’s actions as leaving them with no alternative, the club confirmed it would no longer participate in the competition.
We cannot continue to be part of a system that disregards the well-being of its member clubs and prioritizes revenue over development,” the statement continued.
Kun Khalifat also called on other clubs to push for reforms and greater accountability within Nigerian football, stressing that meaningful progress requires improved governance.
Despite stepping away from the NPFL, the club thanked its supporters, players, and stakeholders for their loyalty and pledged to seek other platforms to nurture talent and contribute to the growth of the game in Nigeria.
We will continue to explore other avenues to showcase our talents and represent Nigerian football with pride,” the statement concluded, ending with the declaration: “We are done with the NPFL.”
As of the time of this report, the NPFL has yet to release an official response regarding the club’s withdrawal.
