NFF fines Malumfashi FC, 2 others for breach of NNL rules

Admin l Friday, June 18, 2021

 

 

LAGOS, Nigeria – The disciplinary committee of the Nigerian Football Federation(NFF) has fined  Malumfashi FC, Remo FC and Nnewi FC for breach of rules in the Nigerian National League, NNL.

In the case involving Malumfashi FC Vs. Zamfara United FC in a match fixture scheduled for Abubakar Labo Stadium, Malumfashi,

Katsina State on 12th February, 2021, the NNL directed that the match should be played the next day being 13th February 2021, but Malumfashi FC refused, neglected and disregarded the directive of the NNL to honour the said match.

“That the unilateral decision of Alh. Surajo, Chairman, Malumfashi FC to withhold the key to the Stadium perimeter fence gate shows that

Malumfashi Township Stadium is no longer safe and conducive to host NNL matches. Malumfashi FC is hereby given before their next home match to communicate to the NNL Secretariat an alternative Stadium for their home matches. Failure of which will compel the league body to move Malumfashi FC to a stadium of their choice.

“That in line with Art. 14.7 of the NNL Rules, Malumfashi FC is hereby fined the sum of N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) only to be paid to the league within two weeks for failure to honour their week 1 league match as directed by the NNL.

“That week 1 league match, Malumfashi FC vs. Zamfara United FC shall be replayed at a neutral ground on a date to be fixed by the league That Malumfashi FC shall bear all expenses incurred by Zamfara

United FC in the said aborted match and the expense for the replay of the week 1 match including the indemnities the match officials.

Failure of which shall force the league to award 3 points, 3 goals to the Away Team. That Alh. Surajo is hereby warned that any act(s) from him that will bring the league process to disrepute will attract a severe penalty in accordance with the provisions of the NNL Rule book.

Malumfashi FC being dissatisfied with the decisions of the NNL, elected to appear before the NFF, Disciplinary Committee. The committee found out that the inability to prosecute the match on the 12th February 2021, was occasioned by failure of the Referees to show up for the match due to the “late appointment of officials” and not caused by any of the participating clubs. That both teams left the match venue with the directive from the Match Commissioner that the match would be played the following day 13th February, 2021 at 4:00pm.

“That the subsequent directive from the NNL, after the teams had dispersed, was a short notice, though not unreasonable for a team to have been unable to meet up with the rescheduled match for 8:00am the following day. That the match officials were unable to meet up with the 8:00am rescheduled match, which further shows lapses in organization by the NNL, and not from either of the participating teams. Pursuant to the proviso in Rule. 14.7, we find it reasonable to accept that a club might have genuinely been unable to meet up with such short notice and incessant rescheduling of the match.

The NFF  committee decided to  reduce  the  fine from 1 million to N650,000 leaving a balance of   N350,000.00 to be paid as full and final payment of the fine. That Malumfashi FC, in addition to paragraph 2 above, should pay the sum of  N90,000.00) only, being the balance

of refund of expenses incurred by Zamfara United FC during the aborted match and that the match be rescheduled by the NNL at Abubakar Labo Stadium, Malumfashi, upon the payment of all outstanding balances.

In the case of Remo Stars FC Vs. Bendel Insurance FC in a match fixture played   on 6th June at Remo Stars FC Stadium, Ikenne, Ogun

State, Bendel Insurance FC is Protesting against encroachment on the field of  play, assault on its players and officials and damage to their Bus during the NNL week 21 League match.

The committee found that Remo Stars FC officials and supporters encroached into the field of play. That the match was disrupted due to encroachment and violent conduct by officials and supporters of Remo Stars FC, which led to the players and officials of Bendel Insurance FC being chased out of the field of play resulting in various degrees of injuries to the players and officials and that Remo Stars FC breached COVID-19 Protocols by, admitting/permitting spectators into the stadium and that the Bus belonging to Bendel Insurance was damaged by the Supporters of Remo Stars FC.

Consequently, the committee ruled that Pursuant to Rule 16.2, NNL Rules, Remo Stars FC is by hereby fined the sum of  N500,000.00) only, for breaches of COVID-19 Protocol and the discontinuation of the match due to encroachment by their supporters, who were present at the stadium in breach of COVID-19 Protocol.

Taking cognizance of the conduct of Remo Stars officials and supporters being responsible for the encroachment and discontinuation of the match, pursuant to the powers under Rule 16.3 and 15.10 NNL Rules, an order that the match which was discontinued at 0: 0 shall count as a complete fixture, with the 0-0 as the final scoreline.

In view of the fact that Bendel Insurance was unable to submit any medical bills for their injured players and officials and receipt of cost of repairs to their damaged Bus, the Committee is constrained to award only the sum of N400,000.00  as general damages against Remo Stars FC to be paid to Bendel Insurance FC.

Besides, Remo Stars are hereby directed to make a written undertaking to the NNL guaranteeing safety of players and officials of visiting teams

during and after matches and any breach of such undertaking shall lead to banning Remo Stars FC from further hosting NNL matches in their home venue.

In  the case involving Rovers FC Vs. Nnewi United FC in a match fixture played on 5th June, 2021 at U. J Eusene Stadium, Calabar. The committee found out that the non-conclusion of the match was as a result of the actions of the away team, Nnewi United FC and that there was encroachment by officials of Nnewi United FC namely;

Mr. Olisa Onuchukwu, the Medical Officer of the club and one Mr.Sunny, Club’s Administrative Officer. That Mr. Olisa Onuchukwu and Mr. Okey Talabi, Secretary, Cross River State Football Association, exhibited unsporting conduct during the Match and that the referee did not manage his time properly as reported by the Match Commissioner.

Consequently, pursuant to Rule. 14.8 of the NNL Rules, a fine of N300,000.00  only is imposed on Nnewi United FC and a forfeiture of the match by 3 points and 3 goals to Rovers FC, for failure to continue with the match in protest against the decision of the Referee to award a penalty against their club.

That the sum of N300,000.00) only is hereby imposed on Nnewi United Football Club for encroachment into the field of play by its officials namely; Mr. Olisa Onuchukwu, the Medical Officer and one Mr.  Sunny which resulted in the non conclusion of the Match. Besides, the committee reprimanded  Mr. Olisa Onuchukwu, the medical Officer and Mr. Sunny  and Mr. Okey Talabi is to be of good behavior in all football engagements.

In attendance: Musa Amadu, Esq. (Chairman), Prof. Olufemi Adegbesan(Vice Chairman), Damon N. Dashe, Esq (Member), Chike Onyeacho, Esq(Member), Adamu Sani Osmond, Esq (Member), Kevin Omuojine, Esq (Member) Queen W. Otarakpo, Esq (Secretary).