The Nigerian Football Authority (NFA) has suspended four top clubs for reporting results that seems to be nothing but outright falsehood from playoff matches. Plateau United Feeders and Police Machine Football Club, needed convincing win to earn a place to the national league but officials rejected the score line of 79 – 0 and 67 – 0 respectively.
In a statement to the media, the Nigeria’s Football Federation described the scores as “a mind-boggling show of shame never previously witnessed in Nigeria. Plateau United Feeders somehow manufactured a 79-0 victory over Akurba FC while Police Machine FC demolished Babayaro FC 67-0.” Federation spokesman Ademola Olajire said a deal was certainly struck among the sides, but the details, including whether any money changed hands, are yet to be known.
“We are setting up an investigation. We don’t know exactly what happened. We just feel scandalised,” he said. “The four teams involved are suspended immediately and indefinitely,” chairman of the NFA, Mike Emeh said in the statement, adding everyone involved in the Monday matches, including officials and staff at the pitch in northern Bauchi state, could face sanctions, the federation said.
