Principle of Pacta Sunt Servanda in Football Arbitration Compliances among Selected Clubs in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines the application of the principle of Pacta Sunt Servanda, “agreements must be kept”, in football arbitration compliance among selected clubs in South-South Nigeria. Rooted in contract law and codified in FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), this principle is vital for maintaining contractual stability, fairness, and trust in professional football. Despite clear regulatory frameworks and arbitration rulings by the Nigeria Football Federation’s Players’ Status and Arbitration Committee, compliance among clubs remains inconsistent. Through a quantitative survey of 120 stakeholders, including legal practitioners, sports administrators, and club representatives, the research identifies financial constraints, weak enforcement mechanisms, political interference, and limited stakeholder awareness as key barriers to compliance. Findings reveal that institutional weaknesses, such as the absence of effective sanctions, procedural inefficiencies, and state-ownership dynamics, significantly undermine enforcement. The study highlights that while stakeholders recognize the benefits of strengthening Pacta Sunt Servanda, including improved contractual stability and governance, sustainable change requires tailored institutional reforms. Recommended strategies include legislative amendments to bolster enforcement powers, establishment of internal compliance monitoring mechanisms, engagement of legal advisors, and targeted stakeholder education. By situating these findings within both domestic and international sports arbitration contexts, the study contributes to the discourse on strengthening legal certainty and contractual integrity in African sports governance. It underscores the need for coordinated reforms to transition from formalistic adherence toward meaningful compliance, thereby enhancing the credibility of Nigerian football and aligning it with global best practices.