A series of disciplinary sanctions were rolled out by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Wednesday and ElKanemi Warriors was one of the clubs heavily affected, having previously been under investigation.
They were fined by the IMC arm of the NPFL and asked to play their remaining fixtures of the first half of the season behind closed doors.
In its findings, the IMC found the host team (ElKanemi Warriors) to have breached Rule B13.52 for failing to provide adequate and effective security for all persons involved in the match, which led to the destruction of the camera tripod of the away team and disagreements before the resumption of the second half.
ElKanemi Warriors have now been slammed with a fine of ₦500,000 for failure to provide adequate and effective security, ₦250,000 being compensatory payment to coach Monday Odigie of Bendel Insurance and an order to replace the damaged camera tripod of Bendel Insurance.
Meanwhile, coach of Bayelsa United, Deprieye Tebowei, received a stern warning following his comments on officiating in the league and asked to be of good conduct.
“The respondent and officials of Bayelsa United are further advised to direct their grievances and complaints through the official channels in the future”, the IMC further advised.
Fixture adjustment requests denied
Lobi Stars, Enyimba and Abia Warriors had their requests for fixtures adjustment turned down by the IMC.
Lobi wanted their Matchday 7 fixture against Dakkada in Jos rescheduled, while Abia Warriors also made a similar request for their game against Wikki Tourists. On the other hand, Enyimba were requesting a change in date for their Matchday 8 game against Shooting Stars in Aba.
Consequently, Abia Warriors have been directed to host Wikki Tourists at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba on the same date, just as Lobi were advised to make adequate arrangements to play their Matchday 7 game on the previously scheduled date which is February 11.
3SC, Abia Warriors home grounds get ultimatum
In a separate development, the home ground of Abia Warriors, the Umuahia Township Stadium, has been given provisional clearance until the end of the first stanza. Subsequently, the ground would be evaluated to decide if it meets club Licensing Infrastructure requirement.
Meanwhile, the Lekan Salami Stadium, home of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), has been placed on provisional approval.
The IMC wrote the club, saying, “The present condition of the playing turf at the Lekan Salami Stadium, is not television friendly and falls short of acceptable standards. You are therefore directed to take immediate steps to improve the condition of the playing pitch before the end of the first half of the season (Week 9)”.
The club was also warned that failure to comply would lead to its home games moved to an alternate ground before the start of the second stanza.
Elsewhere, Nasarawa United got approval to return to the New Jos Township Stadium for their remaining fixtures of the season with a warning that further requests for a venue change will not be entertained.
Two Referees under Investigation
The IMC have also written to the Referee Appointment Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to review the performance of Referee Amadi Promise of Rivers State following protest lodged by Sunshine Stars for his handling of their MatchDay 5 fixture against Lobi Stars in Makurdi.
Similarly, a review of Referee Taiwo David’s performance and future officiating in the NPFL following his actions in the Matchday 5 fixture in Port Harcourt between Rivers United and Wikki Tourists were also requested.
