Not Guilty: NFF Clears Liberty Lions of Match-Fixing Allegations

Liberty Lions FC of Calabar have been officially cleared of any wrongdoing by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following a match-fixing petition filed by Cynosure FC. The verdict brings relief to the young club and clears the path for the Nationwide League One (NLO) Promotion Playoff to continue.

Liberty Lions Exonerated

Liberty Lions, a fast-rising football club with a thriving academy structure, made their debut in the Nationwide League One this season. Despite their promising start, the team’s progress was briefly marred by a controversial protest from Cynosure FC, who alleged that Liberty Lions deliberately aided E-World United’s 3–1 victory in the final group match of the Calabar Centre.

Cynosure’s claims centred around Liberty fielding only seven players at the start of the match, an issue they said suggested foul play. However, the NFF Disciplinary Committee, in its sitting on 2 July 2025, dismissed the allegations as unsubstantiated.

Key Findings by the NFF Disciplinary Committee:

• The match was moved from 4:00pm to 8:00am at the request of Cynosure’s own chairman to allow simultaneous kickoff of all final group games.
• Liberty Lions started the match with seven players due to some arriving late but eventually completed the game with the full eleven, in line with FIFA rules.
• Cynosure FC failed to present any evidence proving match manipulation.
• The committee upheld the ₦500,000 fine imposed on Cynosure FC by the NLO for making frivolous allegations, but lifted the six-month suspension of their chairman.

Promotion Playoff to Go Ahead

Following the ruling, the suspended Port Harcourt Centre of the NLO Promotion Playoffs will now resume. E-World United, having been confirmed as winners of the Calabar Centre, will join FC One Rocket, Ozalla FC, and Ahudiya FC to contest the Slot 4 ticket to the Nigeria National League (NNL).

NLO Chief Operating Officer, Olushola Ogunnowo, had earlier confirmed that the playoff was paused pending the outcome of Cynosure’s appeal. With the NFF’s decision now made, attention returns to the pitch.

What’s Next

New dates for the Port Harcourt Centre playoff fixtures are expected to be announced soon. The four competing teams will now prepare for what promises to be a fiercely contested battle for promotion to Nigeria’s second-tier league.

For Liberty Lions FC, the decision allows them to focus on developing young talent and building a solid footballing future.