The Nigeria Premier Football League has directed Shooting Stars Sporting Director Tobi Adepoju to issue a public apology to the NPFL Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, following what it described as a false and careless accusation over stadium pitch standards in Ilorin and Bauchi.
In an official letter dated 25 November 2025 and signed by NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi, the league body faulted Adepoju's recent comments on X, where he claimed that pitches approved by the NPFL had led to injuries to four Shooting Stars players. The NPFL stated that the allegation was misleading and had brought the chairman’s office into disrepute.
The letter stressed that stadium approvals fall under the Nigeria Football Federation Club Licensing Regulations, not the direct responsibility of the NPFL chairman. It also described the blog publication that amplified the claim as false.
The NPFL cited Rule A5.5.2 of its Framework and Rules, which forbids any club or its officials from unfairly criticising or disparaging the league, its officers or its agents. The body added that Adepoju should have used formal communication channels to express his concerns instead of taking them to social media.
The Sporting Director has been ordered to publish the correct information regarding club licensing, offer a formal apology to Elegbeleye and present reasons why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.
The development comes amid widespread debate about pitch quality in the NPFL, a matter that has drawn increasing attention from fans, clubs and league observers.
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