The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has offered to reimburse the affected teams N3m while rescheduling the Aiteo Cup quarter-final matches in a last-ditch effort to calm tense nerves.
The NFF, League Management Company (LMC), and the eight quarterfinalists gathered to discuss how to end the mounting problem that resulted from Kwara United’s submission to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) last week.
Representatives of the NFF, LMC, and representatives of the clubs’ Kano Pillars, Katsina United, Heartland Fc, Wikki Tourist, Nasarawa United, Lobi Stars, and Niger Tornadoes attended the meeting, which was presided over by NFF 2nd Vice President Shehu Dikko. Kogi United Fc was excused from attendance.
The purpose of the meeting was to provide the angry clubs with a chance to talk with the NFF about finding a solution to the disagreement that followed Kwara United’s selection as a CAF Confederation Cup representative, a berth allocated for Aiteo cup winners.
Following hours of deliberation, the group decided on the following outcomes to ensure that the tournament could go on and be successful. The agreements made provide for the quarterfinal matches, pairings, and centres to remain the same, with the exception of the Ilorin center, where Heartland vs. Katsina Utd will be played on August 20, 2022.
The NFF also stated that Katsina and Heartland would receive N5 million apiece if they were to repeat, while the other eight quarterfinalists would receive N3 million each as reimbursement for their expenses.
Additionally, it was decided that the finalist and semi-finalist would each get N1 million and N2 million in subsidies.
Regardless of whether they qualify from their state or not, the final champion will be compensated with an upward revision of prize money with at least a 50% increase and will automatically qualify for the Round of 16 in the 2022/2023 Aiteo Cup.
