El-Kanemi Warriors’ chairman, Alhaji Zannah Mala, has hailed the verdict of the League Management Company (LMC) which ruled that their game with Bayelsa United ended 1-1 apiece among other punishments meted out to the Restoration Boys.
The Maiduguri side had stormed out of the match in Sapele in the dying minutes of the encounter after controversy erupted between the centre referee and one of his assistants over the controversial Bayelsa United’s second goal. The centre referee awarded the goal but the assistant referee insisted that the goal was scored from an offside position.
The LMC later ruled on the botched league clash that the game ended 1-1 and also banished Bayelsa United to Abuja for their next three matches, while El Kanemi were slammed with a fine of N250, 000 and told to produce one of their players that assaulted the centre referee during the game.
Zannah said that the LMC’s verdict in the disputed match showed that the organisers of the league meant well for Nigerian football but pleaded with the league body to tamper justice with mercy on the fine imposed on the club.
Zannah said: “We are relieved that we have got our point back after they thought they could deny us what was due to us.
The LMC is doing well in the interest of the league and I can only commend those taking charge to keep up the good work. I also want to plead that they should be more lenient with the monetary sanction imposed on us.”
Meanwhile, El Kanemi defeated Lobi Stars 2 – 0 in a league match played at the Kano Pillars Stadium to improve their position on the log.
