NFF fine Gateway N1m, order replay of ABS match

The Organizing and Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday handed out a fine of N1m on Gateway United Football Club of Abeokuta for their refusal to play their Nigeria National League (NNL) match day 14 away tie against ABS Ilorin on Sunday. The O&D also ordered that the botched match should be replayed at the same Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin on Wednesday November 9 behind closed doors.

Rising from their meeting in Abuja on Thursday, the committee, headed by former NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu, reprimanded the home team, ABS Ilorin, for arbitrarily increasing the ticket fee to between N10, 000 and N15, 000.

The committee further warned Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, Afolabi Afuape, saying his conduct on the day of the match was unbecoming of a man of his status.

The winner of the match will pick the promotion ticket from the NNL B2 for a place in next year’s Nigeria Professional Football League.

DECISION OF THE NIGERIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE DURING ITS SITTING ON 3RD NOVEMBER, 2016 AT BOLTON WHITE APARTMENT, ABUJA

In the matter between ABS FC Vs. GATEWAY FC:

FINDINGS:

The Disciplinary Committee finds as follows:

1. That Gateway FC refused to honour the match day 14  Nigeria National League fixture between ABS FC and Gateway FC on 30th October, 2016 on the grounds of complaints over intimidation, harassment, inadequate security and the delay of the home team in granting them access to the stadium and the field of play.

2. That the increase in the cost of match tickets by the home team, ABS FC to N10,000 (popular) and N15,000 (VIP) on the day of the match, was arbitrary and unreasonable.

3. That the contingent of the away team Gateway FC was deliberately delayed, by the home team ABS FC from gaining access to the stadium and the field of play.

4. That the conduct of the Ogun State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Afolabi Afuape, within and around the technical area was unbecoming of an official of his position and  capable of bringing the game to disrepute.

Based on the above findings, the Committee rules as follows:

1. That for failure to honour the fixture obligation, Gateway FC is in breach of Rule 4.2(1) of the Rules of the NNL; thus, Gateway FC shall pay the stipulated fine of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira only) to the NNL on or before Tuesday 8th November, 2016.

2. That pursuant to the provisions of article 31bis of FIFA Disciplinary Code, due to the conduct and behavior of ABS FC, the match shall be replayed on Wednesday, 9th November, 2016 at the same time and venue as earlier scheduled, with a new set of match officials. Both Clubs shall bear their respective costs.

3. That in other to forestall any breakdown of Law and Order, the Committee directs that the Match should be played behind closed doors and the home team should ensure that adequate security is provided before, during and after the Match.

4. That the Ogun State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Afolabi Afuape is hereby reprimanded and cautioned to be of exemplary conduct henceforth.

5. That these decisions are without prejudice to any right of appeal.

In attendance:

Musa Amadu, Esq (Chairman), Prof. Olufemi Adegbola Adegbesan (Vice Chairman), Damon Nandam Dashe, Esq (Member), Kelvin C. Omoujine, Esq (Member), Adamu Sani Osmond (Member), Onyeachor Chike, Esq (Member) and Queen Otarakpo, Esq (Ag.Secretary)