Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The League Management Committee (LMC) has fined Eyimba Football Club of Aba, N10 million for various offences committed during their week 35 of Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), between Rangers International and Eyimba, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu on Sunday.
In a letter addressed to the management of the club signed by Davidson Owumi, COO of LMC, the club would also forfeit three points and three goals to Rangers International.
According to the letter, the LMC found Enyimba players, management and supporters culpable and fined them in line with the rules of the game.
According to the LMC, Enyimba breached five rules governing the league.
Part of the letter reads: “Upon review of the findings of the official reports for the Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l, held at the Nnamdi Aztkiwe Stadium, Enugu, on 9” June 2024, the Nigeria Premier Football League states its findings as follows: “You are in breach of Rule C9 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 9 June 2024, in the course of Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, you failed to ensure the proper conduct of your players, officials and supporters.
“You are in breach of Rule B6.23 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 9 June 2024, in the course of Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, you disrupted the transmission of a live broadcast.
“You are in breach of Rule B13.18 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 9 June 2024, in the course of Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, your team and supporters threw objects and encroached unto the field of play.
“You are in breach of Rule C1.1 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 9 June 2024, in the course of Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, you refused to continue with the match in protest against the penalty awarded in favour of your opponents, an act that goes against the principles of fair play, sportsmanship, the league rules, and, is capable of bringing the game to disrepute.
“You are in breach of Rule B13.24 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 9 June 2024, in the course of Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, you caused the disruption and discontinuation of the match.
“Consequently, the NPFL hereby impose on you the following sanctions:
“A fine of One Million Naira only (N1,000,000) for failing to ensure the proper conduct of your team.
“A fine of Five Million Naira only (N5,000,000) for disrupting a live broadcast.
“A fine of One Million Naira only (N1,000,000) for throwing of objects unto the field of play.
“A fine of One Million Naira only (N1,000,000) for encroachment unto the field of play.
“An order forfeiting 3 points and 3 goals in favour of your opponent refusing to allow the penalty awarded in favour of your opponents to be taken, thereby disrupting the match and bringing the game to disrepute.
A fine of Two Million Naira only (N2,000,000) for causing the disruption and discontinuation of the match.
“An order for Enyimba to identify and produce for further investigation and appropriate sanctions, other players and officials complicit in the disruptive conducts (particularly against the match officials) that led to a discontinuation of the game, in addition to the following identified players; Eze Ekwutoziam (Jersey No.6), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Jersey No.27), and Akanni Elijah (Jersey No.10).
“In accordance with Rule C26, you are required, within 48 hours of the date of this notice, to either:
(1) submit to the summary jurisdiction and the sanctions contained herein; or
(2) 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 NPFL. Should you submit to the summary jurisdiction and the prescribed sanctions, kindly note that the fines therein are to be paid within 7 working days.”
It further states: “Note that in accordance with Rule E1, where an appeal or election to be dealt with by a disciplinary panel fails or is found to have been frivolous, such party may be liable to such additional sanction(s) as may be deemed fit in the circumstances.”
It would recalled that the match was abandoned when Eyimba players walked out if the pitch to protest a penalty awarded to Rangers in the dying minutes of the match.
The walking out of Eyimba players was followed by throwing of objects into the field of play by the visiting fans which led to chaos in the stadium.
