LMC fine Rangers N6.5m over fans' hostility

. Baba Agu banned

By Taofeek Babalola

Rangers International Football Club have been sanctioned by the League Management Company (LMC) following a review of incidence that occurred during and after Match Day 20 fixture of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) against Gombe United last Sunday in Enugu, Sportinglens.blogspot.com reports.

Sportinglens.blogspot.com Supporters of the Flying Antelopes were found to have thrown objects into the field of play, encroached into on to the field of play as the club officials were not able to ensure adequate security.

Rangers International were charged for four breaches of the Framework and Rules in their match against Gombe United and subsequently fined a total of N6.5m (including N3m for disruption of video coverage of the match), a suspended three points’ deduction and two home matches behind closed doors.

In addition to the sanctions, the club was also directed to ensure that the fan identified as Baba Agu, who spearheaded the disruption of the video recording of the match is banned from all Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matches and activities and his picture is to be published by the Club at the stadium entrances.

Rangers were charged for breaches of Rule B13.18, Rule C9, B13.52 and B6.52. The charged read, “you are in breach of Rule B13.18 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League, in that on Sunday, 21st May, 2017, in the course of your Match Day 20 Fixture: Rangers International FC vs. Gombe United FC, in or about the 28th minute of the match, some of your supporters threw objects (including water sachets) towards Match Officials on the field of play, which caused a delay in the match”.

The second charge read, “you are in breach of Rule C9 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League, in that on Sunday, 21st May, 2017, in the course of your Match Day 20 Fixture: Rangers International FC vs. Gombe United FC, you failed to ensure the proper conduct of your officials who occupied the technical bench of your team, when they threatened and verbally harassed Match Officials”.

The league champions were also docked under rule B13.52 for failing to ensure restriction of access by unauthorized persons from all restricted areas in the course of the match which lead to some individuals gaining access to the tunnel leading to the dressing room with intention to intimidate match officials.

In the fourth count, Rangers were charged for breach of Rule B6.24 in that its agents hindered and prevented a part of the video recording of the match, including damage to a video camera tripod stand.

Should the club accept the ruling of the LMC in writing within 48hours, it is also expected in line with the resolution of all the clubs at the midseason review session in Abuja to pay the fines within 10 working days of issuance of the notice, which is on or before June 8, 2017. A default in complying with the payment deadline attracts a walkover in scheduled matches until the fine is paid in full.

However, they also reserve the right to appeal the decision which must be submitted in writing within 48hours of the notice.