.Club to
pay assaulted Referee N250,000
Nigeria
Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs have been reminded by the League
Management Company (LMC) that breaches of the NPFL Framework and Rules will be
met with appropriate sanctions to sustain the gains of the reforms to
reposition club football in the country.
The
caution is coming on the heels of a ruling following further breach of the
order to play behind closed door by Sunshine Stars that has subsequently been
ordered to play its home matches at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode
while its goalkeeper, David Ariyo bagged a 12-match suspension.
These
decisions including a total fine of N1m for various other rule breaches by the
club were reached by the LMC in review of events of Match Day 23 of the Nigeria
Professional Football League (NPFL) in Akure.
In a bold
move to enforce regulations and come down hard on unruliness of players, club
officials and violent fans, the LMC ruled that “in view of the breach of the
‘closed door’ order, and upon consideration of the provisions of Rule B4.7
(Overriding considerations and general public interest), an order is hereby
made moving Sunshine Stars to the Otunba Dipo Dina, Stadium, Ijebu-Ode for its
home matches henceforth and until further notice”.
The
matches will be played under closed doors until the LMC is satisfied that the
club can guaranty security at its games and also control the unruly supporters.
The LMC
reiterated that Sunshine Stars must be seen to have complied with earlier
orders for the Club’s home matches to be played behind closed doors and the
requirement for revised and satisfactory safety and security measures to be put
in place before the Akure Township Stadium is re-admitted to host NPFL matches.
The LMC
further warned the club that should there be similar breaches or disturbances,
the suspended three points deduction will be implemented.
Sunshine
Stars were also charged for breaches of Rule C9 and C1.2.1.6 while goalkeeper,
Ariyo was charged for assault on an assistant referee contrary to Rule C11 of
the NPFL Framework and Rules.
In the
summary jurisdiction notice issued the club, the LMC charged “You are in breach
of Rule C9 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football
League, in that on Wednesday, 7th June, 2017, in the course of your Match Day
23 Fixture: Sunshine Stars FC vs Plateau United FC, you failed to control your
players when they accosted the Assistant Referee and assaulted him”.
The
second charge against Sunshine Stars read, “You are in breach of Rule C1.2.1.6
of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League, in that
on Wednesday, 7th June, 2017, in the course of your Match Day 23 Fixture:
Sunshine Stars FC vs. Plateau United FC, you breached the order that your match
be played behind closed doors when some spectators entered the stadium and also
harassed match officials”.
For
failure to control the players in breach of Rule C9, the club was fined
N750,000 while another fine of N250, 000 was imposed on the club as
compensation to the assaulted Assistant Referee pursuant Rule C12 and this will
be in addition to payment of any additional certified medical expenses incurred
by the Referee.
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