The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has launched a formal inspection of the Kwara State Stadium in Ilorin following widespread criticism over the condition of the pitch during Shooting Stars' match there on Sunday. The incident triggered a public row between the league and the Ibadan club, The PUNCH reports.

The NPFL Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, confirmed on Wednesday on GTI that assessors had been deployed to the Rasidi Yekini Stadium after videos circulated online showing players running through uneven surfaces while groundsmen rushed to fill holes with sand moments before kick-off.

Elegbeleye emphasised the league's commitment to quality pitches: "Of what benefits is it to the NPFL if clubs are playing on substandard pitch?" he said.

He confirmed immediate action: "As at 4 p.m. today, two people have been engaged to inspect the Rasidi Yekini Stadium and report back with pictures and videos. We have banned clubs in recent past from playing in their home grounds. It is a continuous process. Kwara United is not more important than others."

Trigger for the Inspection

The controversy was sparked by Shooting Stars' sporting director, Tobi Adepoju, who posted on X alleging that poor pitches approved by the NPFL had caused injuries to four of the club's players this season, including one who required surgery costing more than N3 million.

"Three casualties yesterday in Ilorin, and we do not know how much it will cost us to take care of them yet," he wrote, following the match against Kwara United (which ended 0-0).

The league responded with a reprimand, accusing him of making false and disparaging claims against the chairman and misrepresenting the club licensing structure.

The league's Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, in a letter to the club official, said the allegations were "patently false" and violated NPFL regulations prohibiting clubs or their representatives from unfairly criticising the league or its officials.

He cited Abia Warriors' recent formal petition over refereeing decisions as an example of proper procedure. The letter directed Tobi to correct the statements publicly, apologise to the chairman and show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken.

The league responded with a reprimand, accusing him of making false and disparaging claims against the chairman and misrepresenting the club licensing structure.

The league's Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, in a letter to the club official, said the allegations were "patently false" and violated NPFL regulations prohibiting clubs or their representatives from unfairly criticising the league or its officials.

He cited Abia Warriors' recent formal petition over refereeing decisions as an example of proper procedure. The letter directed Tobi to correct the statements publicly, apologise to the chairman and show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken.

Reacting alongside Elegbeleye on GTI, Owumi, stressed that enforcement of standards remains the NPFL's mandate even after the Nigeria Football Federation signs off on initial approvals.

"Our job is to enforce compliance. I cannot throw NFF under any useless bus. If the pitch is no longer up to the standard the NFF approved and gave licence, it is our job to enforce compliance," he said.

"Please could you in all sincerity check out the Ilorin pitch before you can make an informed opinion. Once the NFF has given the licence, we ensure compliance."

Elegbeleye added that criticism directed at the league stemmed largely from a misunderstanding of how club licensing operates.

"It is high time some people get educated, reading culture is quite important. Football administration is dynamic, the rules are changing. The power of club licensing is the responsibility of the Federation," he said.

He referenced several cases in which clubs had been banished from their home grounds over substandard playing conditions, including Kwara United two seasons ago, Niger Tornadoes, Lobi Stars, Sunshine Stars, Heartland and Abia Warriors.

He noted that approvals granted before the season do not prevent the league from intervening if conditions deteriorate.

"When approval was given to facilities at the beginning of the season, once the clubs started playing home and away matches and noticeable flaws with genuine complaints are noticed, the league always act promptly," he said.

The probe into the Ilorin pitch is expected to determine whether Kwara United will be allowed to continue hosting matches at the stadium, with the NPFL insisting that minimum standards must be upheld to ensure player safety and protect the integrity of the league.