A cross section of the players in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has kicked against the January 31 kick-off for  the 2015/2016, insisting issues concerning their welfare should first be addressed.

The players said the League Management Company (LMC) ought to put their welfare first and make sure all the outstanding debts owed them last season have been settled, while making proper arrangements on how they will be paid regularly in the new season before the league commences again.

The players argued if LMC went ahead to start the league without safeguarding the welfare of the main characters, they would be disappointed.

Despite several bold initiatives to restore the credibility of the league, unpaid salaries, bonuses and allowances by most clubs tarnished the past season.

Warri Wolves midfielder Ichul Lordson said the league should be more concerned about ensuring the welfare of the players rather than rushing everyone into another campaign that will be tarnished by numerous cases of unpaid salaries and bonuses.

“How can the league have a kick-off  date when they have not still spoken on the  players’ welfare and other financial matters?,” he queried.

“So, they just believe in organizing the  league without considering the welfare of the main actors. They just must settle how players will be paid regularly first.”

Bayelsa United captain Salomon Junior maintained that the league should not start until all the clubs have settled their  indebtedness to the players, while ensuring such contract breaches do not happen in the new season.

“The league shouldn’t start if the debts owed the players were not paid in full,” Junior said.