The Nigeria National Football, NNL has sanctioned Lagos based club, Smart City Football Club following the unpalatable behaviour of their fans in their match against Gateway Football Club at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode on Sunday, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
NNL imposed the sum of N3,500,000.00 (Three million, five hundred naira), three points and three goals deduction on the club as fines for breaching various sections of the NNL rule book in the match day 5 encounter.
From the video evidences submitted by the referee and match commissioner, Smart City fans had invaded the pitch, causing havoc after the center referee issued a second yellow card to Tunde Adejokun of Smart City, having had a caution earlier.
The unfortunate events which happened during added time in the first half when the match was 0-0, saw match officials sustain injuries as well as damaged and stolen items of the umpires.
A situation the NNL frowned up and in a summary jurisdiction found Smart City wanting of the following:
1. N1, 000,000.00 (One Million Naira), for pitch encroachment and throwing of objects which led to the discontinuation of the match.
2. N1, 000,000.00 (One Million Naira), for assaults on match officials and bodily harms by supporters of Smart City which led to the abandonment of the match.
3. According to Article 26.1 Smart City are to forfeit three points and three goals from already accrued points in the league.
4. Supporters of Smart City are band from all NNL organized matches till the end of the season.
5. A fine of N500, 000.00(Five hundred thousand naira) for the medical bills of the match officials.
6. N1, 000,000.00 (One Million Naira),fine to replace the lost and damaged valuables items of the match officials.
7. NNL warned Smart City that any further act of violence and assault, will lead to a complete withdrawal from the league.
8. The Match with scores at 0-0 shall be concluded on Thursday 20th April,2023 at same venue under strict closed doors.
9. NNL equally issued warnings to the Ogun State Football Association and management of Gateway Football club to ensure adequate and effective security measures are put in place before, during and after the match.
10. NNL notes that the teams have a 48 hours right to appeal the summary jurisdiction on receipt of its correspondence.
By Uche Dozie