GIWA: 11,650,000
LOBI: N2,000,000
ENYIMBA: N500,000
Emmanuel Ukudolo
Abuja, June 13, 2016 – The Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) today slammed a total fine of N14.1 million on three clubs in the Nigerian Football Professional League (NPFL) for unprofessional conduct, capable of bringing the game of football into disrepute.
The clubs are GIWA FC, LOBI Stars and Enyimba FC.
The NFF slammed N11,650, 000.00 fine on GIWA FC for failing to honour three matches in Nigerian Football Professional League (NPFL).
According to the NFF disciplinary committee, Giwa FC shall pay a fine of N10,000,000 to the League Management Company (LMC) in line with rule B13. 25 of the NPFL Frame Work and Rules.
“That Giwa FC shall pay the Sum of N650,000 to offset the expenses of the match officials to the LMC. That Giwa FC shall pay the Sum of N1, 000,000 to offset the expenses incurred by Enyimba FC’’, the committee said in a statement after a meeting in Abuja.
According to the committee, Giwa FC failed to honour three cumulative matches in the on-going 2015/2016 NPFL Season without acceptable reasons.
They are Match Day 14, Giwa FC Vs. Wikki Tourist FC, Match Day 16 Giwa FC Vs Aka United FC and Match Day 18 Giwa FC Vs. Enyimba FC.
The committee noted that by failing to honour the matches, Giwa FC acted in breach of Rule B13.28 of the NPFL Frame Work and Rules which states that “ If a club fails to honour three matches cumulatively within the League season without an acceptable reason to the LMC such a club shall be expelled from the League and its matches played and unplayed shall be cancelled”.
The committee noted that there was no appearance by Giwa FC before the Disciplinary Committee despite the fact that they were duly served with a formal invitation to come to the hearing and it decided to uphold decision of the LMC.
The NFF also imposed a fine of N2 million on Lobe Stars for acting in a manner capable of bringing the game of football into disrepute in LMC Vs. Lobi Stars FC on Match Day 18; Match No:177, Nasarawa United FC Vs. Lobi Stars FC.
It added that Lobi Stars FC acted in breach of Rule B13.18 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League, in that on Wednesday, 18th May 2016, in their Match Day 18 fixture: Nasarawa United FC vs. Lobi Stars FC, their supporters encroached on to the field of play immediately after the match.
That Lobi Stars FC acted in breach of Rule C1 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League, in that on Wednesday, 18th May 2016, in the course of their Match Day 18 fixture: Nasarawa United FC vs. Lobi Stars FC, their officials and supporters conducted themselves in a manner capable of bringing the game to disrepute, including general unruly behaviour, disorderly conduct, failure to show due respect for the decisions of the Referee and harassment of individuals.
Consequently, Lobi Stars is to pay N500,000 for throwing objects into the field of play, N500,000 for encroachment into the field immediately after the match and N1,000,000 for general acts of disorderliness. In addition, Lobi Stars will now play all matches in a neutral venue.
The NFF hammer also fell on Enyimba FC for failing to ensure proper conduct on Match Day 10 and is now required to pay fine of N500,000 into the coffers of NFF instead of the initial N750,000 imposed by LMC.
Lobi Stars and Enyimba FC have 48 hours to appeal the decision.
