It's Not Against the Rules — Remo Stars and Beyond Limits to play in NPFL as financier backs decision with examples

Beyond Limits too good for senior boys Remo Stars. (Photo Credit: Beyond Limits/X)

It's Not Against the Rules — Remo Stars and Beyond Limits to play in NPFL as financier backs decision with examples

Izuchukwu Akawor • Izuchukwu Akawor • 11:01 - 21.06.2024

Beyond Limits were named NNL champions to seal promotion to the NPFL where they will face parent club Remo Stars in an unprecedented move.

It has been confirmed that newly crowned NNL champions Beyond Limits will compete in the upcoming NPFL season, where they will face their "parent club" Remo Stars in an unprecedented move.

The legality of this arrangement has been hotly contested, with many questioning whether it is permissible for two teams from the same ownership to compete in the top flight of Nigerian football.

Beyond Limits and Remo Stars in the NPFL

Honourable Kunle Soname, the financier of both clubs, however, has now come out to defend the decision, citing examples of similar arrangements in the country.

"We strive to be very professional, we know what is right and we know what is wrong. For us as far as Nigeria is concerned examples abound,” he stated in a video shared on social media by Pooja Media.

NNL champions Beyond Limits.
NNL champions Beyond Limits.

“We have Abia Warriors and Enyimba competing in the same league, they have the same financiers - Abia State government.”

The respected administrator further pointed to the examples of clubs and their feeder teams competing in the FA Cup and Federation Cup, arguing that this is a common practice in Nigerian football.

Honorable Kunle Soname is the key financier for Beyond Limits and Remo Stars.
Honorable Kunle Soname is the key financier for Beyond Limits and Remo Stars.

"FA Cup, Federation Cup, that is a tournament, right? Everyone plays (it) - Beyond Limits played, Remo Stars played, and nobody stopped us. We even met in the semi-finals,” he stated further.

“Bendel Insurance and their Feeders played in the finals. So, i am not sure it is running foul of any laws in Nigeria because if it is, then, it would have been stopped."

Remo Stars are chasing continental football in the NPFL.
Remo Stars are chasing continental football in the NPFL. || Imago

"All teams have their feeders, they both play together in the FA Cup - Shooting Stars and Shooting Stars Feeders, Rangers and Rangers Feeders, Kano Pillars, Kano Feeders and they play in the same competition - Federation Cup."

This unprecedented move will undoubtedly be the subject of intense scrutiny and debate among football fans and NPFL well-wishers.

Goals king Kparobo Arierhi of Beyond Limits.

The upcoming NPFL season is set to be a captivating one, as the two clubs under the same ownership battle it out on the pitch, testing the limits of what is considered acceptable in Nigerian football.

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