Players and fans of Niger state male handball team pummelled the referees during their encounter with Delta state at the National Sports Festival.
Niger state lost 29-27 points to Delta in the final played at the outdoor court of the National Stadium Package B, Abuja.
Few seconds to the end of the final, a player and two fans of Niger state pounced on Ibrahim Emiabata and Waheed Adeogun after Delta state scored two crucial goals in the dying minutes.
The officiating officials on the high table, Lagos handball team and the personal security guards of the Chairman Delta State Commission rescued the two referees from the hands of the aggrieved persons.
Board members, spectators and administrators condemned the unruly behavior of the Niger state fans.
A spectator, Lateef Sani called for the sanction of Niger state adding that the team must not go scot free.
“Niger state and their fans just painted handball in bad light. Niger United won the League in Lagos; nobody attacked them; why should they attack the referees for discharging their duties without fear or favour. Ibrahim Emiabata and Waheed Adeogun are one of the best referees in Nigeria”, he added.
The coach of the U17 male national team, Emeka Nnamdi was also threatened by a physically challenged individual after he tried dousing tension after the brawl.
