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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has directed the Nigeria Professional Football clubs to carry out COVID-19 tests on all their players ad backroom staff before every match.
This was disclosed in a letter dated December 26, 2020, sent to the chairmen of the League Management Company, Nigeria National League, Nationwide League One and Nigeria Women’s Football League.
The directive also involved clubs in the NNL, NLO and NWFL.
The NFF also directed league bodies to conduct the tests on match officials before matches to ensure matches are played under a safe environment as the country battles the second phase of the virus.
The letter read, “Sequel to the decision of the various Leagues to start the season (NWFL already on), this is to remind you of the need to ensure that players and officials undergo COVID-19 tests before matches.
“Clubs are responsible for conducting the tests on their players and backroom staff, while the leagues will be responsible for conducting the Covid-19 tests for the match officials and other supporting officials.
“All personnel in Group 1 & 2 as described in the FIFA Return to Football (International Match Protocol) Section 9 must thus be tested 48 hours before the game and result confirmed on match day.
“You are also to ensure that other COVID-19 protocols are observed during all matches, (refer to FMYSD, NIGERIA COVID-19 SPORTS CODE & RESUMPTION PROTOCOLS. These are the conditions on which ban on contact sports was lifted.”
The order follows the resumption of the NPFL for the 2020/21 season on Sunday after a nine-month break due to COVID-19.
Recall that the 2019/20 season was cancelled in August after been suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This post was written by Obiajulu Joel Nwolu.
The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.