Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Heartland FC have relieved General Manager Chukwudi Ifeanyi of his duties and placed him on an “indefinite suspension” from the club barely three weeks to the start of the new season.

Ifeanyi’s ouster was announced in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government Uche Onyeagucha and addressed to the Chairman of the NPFL/the League Management Company through the Imo State FA.

The letter, dated 15 October, said “erstwhile” general manager Ifeanyi “stands disengaged” from the Owerri-based club and directed further dealings to be routed through the Board of Directors.

No mention was made of the reason for Ifeanyi’s disengagement and there is as yet no communication from the club’s communication department.

The surprising development comes barely twenty-four hours after the LMC announced 3 November as the new kick-off date for the 2019/2020 season following a meeting between the league organisers and club owners.

Heartland’s opening fixture sees new head coach Fidelis Illechukwu welcome his former employers MFM FC to Owerri.