NPFL sanctions Plateau United, Insurance over misconduct

The Board of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has sanctioned Plateau United and Bendel Insurance over security lapses and acts of hooliganism witnessed on Sunday during the week 11 matches against Enugu Rangers and Kano Pillars respectively. While Enugu Rangers forced hosts Plateau United to a goalless draw at the New Jos Stadium, Kano […]

The Board of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has sanctioned Plateau United and Bendel Insurance over security lapses and acts of hooliganism witnessed on Sunday during the week 11 matches against Enugu Rangers and Kano Pillars respectively.

While Enugu Rangers forced hosts Plateau United to a goalless draw at the New Jos Stadium, Kano Pillars travelled down south where they defeated Bendel Insurance 1-0 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

In response to acts of hooliganism witnessed in Jos on Sunday, the NPFL yesterday fined Plateau United N4.5m for failure to provide adequate security which resulted in attacks on match officials and the visiting team by supporters of the club; failure to ensure proper conduct of the supporters; attack on match officials and bringing the game to disrepute.

The NPFL said the above were in breach of Rule B13.52, B13.18, C9, C11, and C1.1 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier Football League.

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Therefore, in its notice of Summary Jurisdiction, the NPFL fined Plateau United N1 Million for failure to provide adequate and effect security; N1million for throwing of objects; N1million for failing to ensure proper conduct of their supporters; N500,000 as compensatory payment of N250,000 each to Zakari Aminu (Reserve Referee) and Daniel Onyia (Rangers Player) and N1million for misconduct capable of bringing the league into disrepute.

In addition, Plateau United have been deducted three points and three goals from their accrued points/ goals and would play their next three home matches behind closed doors.

They’ve also been ordered to underwrite the cost of repairing the damaged team bus of Rangers Int’l FC, and other verifiable loss suffered or cost incurred.

Similarly, Bendel Insurance were found to be in breach of Rule B13.52, C9, C11, and C1.1 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier Football League which bothers on security lapses, assault on match officials and fan behaviour that amounts to intimidation and violence.

Consequently, in another Summary Jurisdiction, Insurance were fined a total of N3.75 million, which includes N2 million for inadequate security and misconduct, N1 million for bringing the game into disrepute, and N750,000 as compensation for the assaulted officials.

Furthermore, Bendel Insurance have been deducted three points and three goals from their accrued points/ goals and would play their next three home matches behind closed doors.

However, both clubs have 48 hours to appeal the decisions by the NPFL.