Rivers United have been handed a suspended fine of ₦15 million, alongside a three-point and three-goal deduction, by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for denying the League's broadcast partners access to their stadium during their Matchday 11 fixture against Rangers International.

The incident occurred on Sunday, November 1, when the Port Harcourt-based club allegedly prevented Murphy Ben International (MBI), the League's broadcast partner, from providing live coverage of the EuroMatch NPFL fixture.

However, the sanctions will only take effect if Rivers United commit another breach of the relevant broadcasting regulations during the ongoing season.

In a summary jurisdiction decision communicated to the club, NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Dr Ayo Abdulrahman, outlined the circumstances surrounding the disruption of the fixture, which had already been advertised for live broadcast.

"The EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has received reports of the Club's action in denying the League's Broadcast Partners access to its stadium for the live coverage of its home fixture," Abdulrahman stated in the letter.

He described the denial of access to MBI as a serious violation of established league regulations and an unacceptable interference with the NPFL's broadcasting operations.

According to the league official, the action undermined the league's commercial and broadcasting arrangements and brought its integrity and reputation into disrepute.

Abdulrahman also drew the club's attention to Section B, Rules 6.22 and 6.23 of the NPFL Framework and Rules, which guarantee the League Broadcast Rights Owner exclusive and unfettered access to all league venues without prior notice.

Under Rule 6.23, any club found guilty of violating the provision is liable to a fine of up to ₦15 million, as well as a deduction of three points and three goals from its accrued league tally.

Although the NPFL acknowledged the seriousness of the incident, it considered the underlying circumstances surrounding the disruption before deciding to issue Rivers United a formal and final warning while placing the prescribed sanctions under suspension.

"In view of the seriousness of this incident, the League hereby issues Rivers United FC a formal and final warning and places the prescribed sanctions under suspension.

"Accordingly, the fine of ₦15,000,000.00 together with the deduction of three (3) points and three (3) goals from the Club's accruable points and goals, is hereby suspended. These sanctions will activate if the Club commits any subsequent breach of these provisions, without prejudice to any additional sanctions applicable under the Framework and Rules," the decision stated.

The league further cautioned Rivers United against repeating the action, stressing that access for broadcast partners at league venues is a regulatory requirement and not subject to the discretion or approval of individual clubs.

The NPFL maintained that no club is permitted to obstruct, restrict or deny broadcast partners access to its facilities, particularly for scheduled live matches.

Rivers United have therefore been placed on notice that any further violation of the broadcasting regulations during the ongoing campaign will trigger the suspended ₦15 million fine and the three-point and three-goal deduction, alongside any additional applicable sanctions.