June 11, (THEWILL)- Rangers International Football Club of Enugu has been hit with hefty fines and sanctions by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
In a Summary Jurisdiction Notice issued on June 10, the NPFL found the club in breach of multiple rules during their Match Day 35 fixture against Enyimba International FC the day prior.
The most significant breach was over-ticketing, which led to overcrowding at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu. The club was fined ₦2,000,000 for this violation. Additionally, Rangers failed to provide adequate security, implement effective crowd control measures, and prevent unauthorised persons from accessing restricted areas, resulting in separate fines of ₦1,000,000 for each offence.
The NPFL also ordered Rangers to implement a more effective crowd control mechanism in subsequent home games. The club has been given 48 hours from the date of the notice to either submit to the summary jurisdiction and prescribed sanctions or elect to be dealt with by a disciplinary panel.
The COO of the NPFL, Davidson Owumi, warned that any appeal or election to be dealt with by a disciplinary panel found to be frivolous could result in additional sanctions. This highlights the NPFL’s firm stance on ensuring clubs adhere to safety and security regulations during matches.
The sanctions against Rangers serve as a stark reminder of the importance of crowd management and safety protocols in Nigerian football. Failure to comply with these rules not only jeopardises the well-being of fans but also tarnishes the image of the league and the clubs involved.
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.
