June 19, (THEWILL)- The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has released the decision reached by its Disciplinary Committee on five cases brought before it for adjudication. It heard from the parties in dispute in all the cases and based on the statutes applicable in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and the Nigeria National League (NNL), it reached a resolution.
In cases where some infringements of the regulation guiding the participation and competition in the domestic league were involved in the disputes and where orders laid down by the League Management Company (LMC) were flouted, the Disciplinary Committee did not hesitate to slam applicable fines.
Below, the case-by-case statements of the conclusions of the Committee follows a breakdown of the disputes considered and the steps that led to the committee’s decisions.
CASE 1
IN THE MATTER BETWEEN FC IFEANYI UBAH VS. MFM FC REGARDING THE MATCH BETWEEN FC IFEANYI UBAH VS. MFM FC ON THE 9TH MAY, 2021 AT ENUGU.
This case involves FC Ifeanyi Ubah Vs. MFM FC in a matchday 20 fixture scheduled to be played on the 9th May, 2021 at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
Though Nnewi Township Stadium is the traditional home venue of FC Ifeanyi Ubah, part of the disciplinary sanctions imposed on the Club by League Management Company (LMC), in the aftermath of their matchday 15 fixture was, “an order moving FC Ifeanyi Ubah to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu”, until a satisfactory revised stadium security plan is provided and approved by the League Management Company (LMC).
On the date and time of the fixture, whereas the away team and the match officials were present at the match venue in Enugu, FC Ifeanyi Ubah did not report for the match. Pursuant to the summary jurisdiction of the LMC, FC Ifeanyi Ubah was thereafter charged with failure to honour the fixture, in breach of Rule B13.25 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League and the match was awarded to MFM 3 points, 3 goals.
Dissatisfied with the summary jurisdiction by LMC, FC Ifeanyi Ubah appealed to be heard by the NFF Disciplinary Committee.
FINDINGS:
That having heard from officials of the two (2) clubs and the COO of the LMC, it was established that a typographical error in the fixture stating Nnewi as the venue of the match, may have caused FC Ifeanyi Ubah to erroneously assume that the match venue would be Nnewi instead of Enugu.
That the visiting team and match officials were in Enugu for the fixture, and a walk over was conducted in the absence of the home team (FC Ifeanyi Ubah).
DECISIONS:
In view of the above findings, the Disciplinary Committee hereby rules as follows:
The match between FC Ifeanyi Ubah Vs. MFM FC is hereby ordered to be played at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on a date to be determined by the LMC.
In furtherance of paragraph 1 above, FC Ifeanyi Ubah is hereby ordered to pay the match officials indemnities and the cost of organising the aborted fixture to be determined by LMC.
FC Ifeanyi Ubah is hereby ordered to pay the financial expenses of MFM FC in the sum of Two Million (N2,000,000.00) Naira only, before the date of the rescheduled match.
That the above decision is without prejudice to the right of appeal.
CASE 2
IN THE MATTER BETWEEN REMO STARS FC VS BENDEL INSURANCE FC REGARDING THE MATCH PLAYED BETWEEN REMO STARS FC VS. BENDEL INSURANCE FC ON THE 6TH JUNE, 2021 AT IKENNE, OGUN STATE.
This case involves Remo Stars FC Vs. Bendel Insurance FC in a match fixture played on 6th June at Remo Stars FC Stadium, Ikenne, Ogun State.
Bendel Insurance FC is Protesting against encroachment on the field of play, assault on its players and officials and damage to their Bus during the NNL week 21 League match.
FINDINGS:
That Remo Stars FC officials and supporters encroached into the field of play.
That the match was disrupted due to encroachment and violent conduct by officials and supporters of Remo Stars FC, which led to the players and officials of Bendel Insurance FC being chased out of the field of play resulting in various degrees of injuries to the players and officials.
That Remo Stars FC breached COVID-19 Protocols by, admitting/permitting spectators into the stadium.
That the Bus belonging to Bendel Insurance was damaged by the Supporters of Remo Stars FC.
DECISIONS:
Pursuant to Rule 16.2, NNL Rules, Remo Stars FC is by hereby fined the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) only, for breaches of COVID-19 Protocol and the discontinuation of the match due to encroachment by their supporters, who were present at the stadium in breach of COVID-19 Protocol.
Taking cognizance of the conduct of Remo Stars officials and supporters being responsible for the encroachment and discontinuation of the match, pursuant to the powers under Rule 16.3 and 15.10 NNL Rules, an order that the match which was discontinued at 0: 0 shall count as a complete fixture, with the 0-0 as the final scoreline.
In view of the fact that Bendel Insurance was unable to submit any medical bills for their injured players and officials and receipt of cost of repairs to their damaged Bus, the Committee is constrained to award only the sum of Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N400,000.00) as general damages against Remo Stars FC to be paid to Bendel Insurance FC.
That Remo Stars are hereby directed to make a written undertaking to the NNL guaranteeing safety of players and officials of visiting teams during and after matches and any breach of such undertaking shall lead to banning Remo Stars FC from further hosting NNL matches in their home venue.
That the above decision is without prejudice to the right of appeal.
CASE 3
IN THE MATTER BETWEEN ROVERS FC VS. NNEWI UNITED FC REGARDING THE MATCH PLAYED BETWEEN ROVERS FC VS. NNEWI UNITED FC ON THE 5TH JUNE, 2021 AT CALABAR.
This case involves Rovers FC Vs. Nnewi United FC in a match fixture played on 5th June, 2021 at U. J Eusene Stadium, Calabar.
Nnewi is protesting how the Referee officiated the match. They alleged that, at the 100th minute of play, the referee awarded a dubious penalty to the home team, Rovers FC when the scoreline was at 1: 1.
FINDINGS:
According to the official match reports (Referee and Match Commissioner), the non-conclusion of the match was as a result of the actions of the away team, Nnewi United FC.
That there was encroachment by officials of Nnewi Hnited FC namely; Mr. Olisa Onuchukwu, the Medical Officer of the club and one Mr. Sunny, Club’s Administrative Officer.
That Mr. Olisa Onuchukwu and Mr. Okey Talabi, Secretary, Cross River State Football Association, exhibited unsporting conduct during the match.
That the referee did not manage his time properly as reported by the Match Commissioner.
It was established that there was inadequate security for the match.
That the penalty awarded by the Referee was not taken, as the match could not continue due to the encroachment into the field of play in protest by the officials of the away team, forcing the referee to call off the match after 5 minutes.
DECISIONS:
Pursuant to Rule. 14.8 of the NNL Rules, a fine of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300,000.00) only is imposed on Nnewi United FC and a forfeiture of the match by 3 points and 3 goals to Rovers FC, for failure to continue with the match in protest against the decision of the Referee to award a penalty against their club.
That the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300,000.00) only is hereby imposed on Nnewi United Football Club for encroachment into the field of play by its officials namely; Mr. Olisa Onuchukwu, the Medical Officer and one Mr. Sunny which resulted in the non conclusion of the Match.
Mr. Olisa Onuchukwu, the medical Officer and Mr. Sunny are hereby reprimanded to be of good behavior in all football engagements.
Mr. Okey Talabi is also reprimanded to be of good behavior in the discharge of his duties, particularly as it regards security at match venues and crowd control.
That the above decision is without prejudice to the right of appeal.
CASE 4
IN THE MATTER BETWEEN MALUMFASHI FC VS. ZAMFARA UNITED FC REGARDING THE MATCH BETWEEN MALUMFASHI FC VS. ZAMFARA UNITED FC ON THE 12TH FEBRUARY, 2021.
This case involves Malumfashi FC Vs. Zamfara United FC in a match fixture scheduled to be played at Abubakar Labo Stadium, Malumfashi, Katsina State on 12th February, 2021, however, the match could not hold as result of late appointment of Match officials.
Based on this incident, the NNL directed that the match should be played the next day being 13th February 2021, but Malumfashi FC refused, neglected and disregarded the directive of the NNL to honour the said match.
The League, in its Summary Jurisdiction, decided as follows:
That the unilateral decision of Alh. Surajo, Chairman, Malumfashi FC to withhold the key to the Stadium perimeter fence gate shows that Malumfashi Township Stadium is no longer safe and conducive to host NNL matches. Malumfashi FC is hereby given before their next home match to communicate to the NNL Secretariat an alternative Stadium for their home matches. Failure of which will compel the league body to move Malumfashi FC to a stadium of their choice.
That in line with Art. 14.7 of the NNL Rules, Malumfashi FC is hereby fined the sum of N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) only to be paid to the league within two weeks for failure to honour their week 1 league match as directed by the NNL.
That week 1 league match, Malumfashi FC vs. Zamfara United FC shall be replayed at a neutral ground on a date to be fixed by the league.
That Malumfashi FC shall bear all expenses incurred by Zamfara United FC in the said aborted match and the expense for the replay of the week 1 match including the indemnities the match officials. Failure of which shall force the league to award 3 points, 3 goals to the Away Team.
That Alh. Surajo is hereby warned that any act(s) from him that will bring the league process to disrepute will attract a severe penalty in accordance with the provisions of the NNL Rule book.
Malumfashi FC being dissatisfied with the decisions of the NNL, elected to appear before the NFF, Disciplinary Committee.
FINDINGS OF THE NFF DSICIPLINARY COMMITTEE:
That the inability to prosecute the match on the 12th February 2021, was occasioned by failure of the Referees to show up for the match due to the “late appointment of officials” and not caused by any of the participating clubs.
That both teams left the match venue with the directive from the Match Commissioner that the match would be played the following day 13th February, 2021 at 4:00pm.
That the subsequent directive from the NNL, after the teams had dispersed, was a short notice, though not unreasonable for a team to have been unable to meet up with the rescheduled match for 8:00am the following day.
That the match officials were unable to meet up with the 8:00am rescheduled match, which further shows lapses in organization by the NNL, and not from e either of the participating teams.
Pursuant to the proviso in Rule. 14.7, we find it reasonable to accept that a club might have genuinely been unable to meet up with such short notice and incessant rescheduling of the match.
DECISIONS:
The notice for the 8:00am rescheduled match was inordinately short and it is reasonable to accept that a team might genuinely have been unable to meet up, especially given the prior information that the match would be played at 4:00pm, and in view of the inconsistencies of rescheduling information and the time of arrival of match officials.
The original fine of One Million (N1,000,000.00) against Malumfashi FC is now reduced to Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N650,000.00) only, wherein the club has paid Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300,000.00) leaving a balance of Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N350,000.00) to be paid as full and final payment of the fine.
That Malumfashi FC, in addition to paragraph 2 above, should pay the sum of Ninety Thousand Naira (N90,000.00) only, being the balance of refund of expenses incurred by Zamfara United FC during the aborted match.
That the match be rescheduled by the NNL at Abubakar Labo Stadium, Malumfashi, upon the payment of all outstanding balances stated in paragraphs 2 & 3 above.
That the above decisions are without prejudice to the right of appeal.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
