Nasarawa United Hit With Heavy Sanctions After Matchday Violence.
In a stern move to uphold discipline within the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), the league board has imposed significant penalties on Nasarawa United following violent scenes during their matchday 18 clash against Rivers United.
The bottom-placed team in the league standings, Nasarawa United, has been slapped with a three-point deduction and a three-goal reduction from their tally, alongside a hefty fine of N3 million. This decision comes after the club failed to control the conduct of their team and supporters, leading to an assault on visiting players and the match referee, Musibaudeen Ibrahim.
According to the NPFL’s statement released on Monday, “Three points and three goals shall be deducted from Nasarawa Utd’s accrued points and goals for the assault on centre referee Musibaudeen Ibrahim.” The sanctions further include:
A fine of N1 million for pitch encroachment.
Another N1 million for failing to ensure proper conduct of their team and supporters.
An additional N1 million for inadequate security provisions.
The league has also mandated that Nasarawa United’s home matches will now be played behind closed doors when the season resumes on January 25. “The Lafia City Stadium will be closed indefinitely to fans until security is enhanced and the state box is barricaded with the club directed to give feedback on compliance to #NPFL25 security department,” the statement added.
Further actions have been outlined by the NPFL, requiring Nasarawa United to identify and prosecute those involved in the violence. “Nasarawa Utd have been ordered to identify and prosecute the individual(s) involved in assaulting the away team with details of their progress submitted to NPFL within seven working days of this notice.”
In related news, Sammy Wejinya, the former media officer for Rivers United and now an aide to Rivers State Sports Commissioner Chris Green, has been banned from all NPFL activities until the season’s end for spreading misleading information about the incident.
This series of punitive measures underlines the NPFL’s commitment to maintaining a safe and orderly environment in football, sending a clear message that such acts of violence will not be tolerated.
