Following observed breaches of sections of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Rules and Framework, the League Management Company (LMC) has moved to check developments that are capable of bringing the league to disrepute and smooth organization.
By Emma ogbuehi
Accordingly, the LMC has issued summary jurisdiction notices to Coach Finidi George of Enyimba, some Match Commissioners, Referees and Kano Pillars FC.
Coach George of Enyimba was charged for his disparaging statement to the media which publicly questioned the performance and integrity of the match officials after the MatchDay 15 game in Owerri against Heartland instead of sending his complaints through the appropriate channels.
George was issued a warning and directed to desist from such conduct.
“You are therefore advised to desist from making such comments as a future reoccurrence of this conduct could result in appropriate sanctions against you”, the memo stated.
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In another memo to the General Secretary of the
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Referee Appointment Committee, the LMC requested the review of performance of Match Officials in the Heartland vs Enyimba Matchday 15 fixture.
The LMC requested the review of performance of Referee Adebimpe Quadri of the Lagos State Referees Council which it believed might have incited incidents of security breaches and misconduct among supporters and club officials.
“We also request a review of the suitability of the Referee for further matches in the Nigeria Professional Football League”, the LMC wrote.
The League body also expressed displeasure with the performance of the Match Commissioner, Haruna Garba of Gombe State Football Council in the MatchDay 16 fixture between Kano Pillars and Rivers United
“We request a review of the standard and quality of performance of the Match Commissioner, due to his failure to enforce the proactive closed-door directive, as well as overall failure to ensure the proper and smooth organization of the match referenced above, which resulted in the breakdown of security at the match venue”, the LMC stated.
It further requested a review of his suitability for further matches in the NPFL.
Kano Pillars was found in breach of Rules B13.52, B13.18, B8.21 and C1.1 of the Frameworks and Rules of the NPFL.
For the breaches, Kano Pillars was fined ₦2.5m and directed to henceforth play their home matches at the Muhammad Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
Pillars was fined for failure to provide adequate security and ensure restriction of access to unauthorized persons to restricted areas, which resulted in the harassment and intimidation of Match Officials.
The club was also found in breach of Rule B8.21 of the Frameworks and Rules of the NPFL for failure to provide adequate security for Match Officials after the match, which resulted in the harassment of the Match Officials, after the match and later at their hotel.
Pillars was also found in breach of Rule C1.1 of the Framework and Rule for failure to adequately enforce the proactive closed-door order restricting the entry of fans to the match venue.
In accordance with Rule C26, Pillars is required, within 48 hours of the date of the notice, to either submit to the summary jurisdiction and the sanctions or elect to be dealt with by a disciplinary panel.
Any such election must be in writing addressed to the undersigned at the office of the LMC.
Meanwhile, Match Commissioner Kingsley Uduh of Anambra State Football Association was commended for his exercise of discretion to ensure the proper and smooth organisation of the match between Heartland and Enyimba by halting proceedings until adequate security was provided. He was thus recommended to NFF for further consideration to handle matches of NPFL.