The Nationwide League One (NLO) has issued a stern warning to all participating clubs, cautioning against the unlawful recruitment of players from non-professional teams. The league’s management emphasized that such conduct is in direct violation of established regulations and will not be tolerated.
In a statement released by the league’s secretariat, the NLO reiterated that attempting to lure players from amateur teams without following proper procedures constitutes a punishable offense under the league’s rulebook.
While the NLO acknowledged that, according to the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), the transfer of amateur players should be free of charge due to the absence of contractual obligations, it stressed that this policy does not justify acts of inducement or poaching.
“The NLO Secretariat hereby wishes to draw the attention of all the clubs in the NLO on the provision of the rules dwelling on poaching players from other clubs,” the statement read.
It further stated: “The NLO frowns at this behavior, and it’s totally unacceptable based on the NLO rulebook stated below.”
In conclusion, the league body made it clear that any club found engaging in either direct or indirect inducement of players—without going through the appropriate channels—will face disciplinary action.
“As a sequel to the above, the Nationwide League One will not hesitate to sanction any erring clubs found in the web of direct or indirect player inducement without going through the right channel,” the statement added.
