Premier League To Help Out Nigerian Counterpart

The Premier League has struck an agreement with the Nigerian Football League
to help the troubled African league become more commercially viable.

Premier League board chairman David Richards said the deal was an
opportunity for the Premier League to repay Nigerian football, which had
contributed immensely to the English game.

‘We have benefited and we will continue to benefit from (the) Nigeria
Football League,’ said Richards. ‘We see our cooperation as a way of giving
something back.’

Under the agreement, the Premier League will train Nigerian officials to
improve the technical standard and organisation of the domestic league.

The Premier League has also sealed separate deals with sponsors to pay
referees in the 20-team league, provide balls and broadcast matches in England.

The agreement is designed to make clubs in the cash-strapped league
self-sufficient and free them from government management.

‘It is going to be a gradual thing, ultimately government will not be running
the clubs,’ said Richards.

A number of Nigerian players currently play in the Premier League
including Kanu, Yakubu and Martins.