Stories By Lekan Olaseinde & Gbenga Jolaosho Abuja
Th e hammer of the League Management Company have fall on three Nigerian Professional League clubs Kano Pillars, Katsina United and Remo Stars for violating several safety rules at match venues and bringing the game into disrepute for the ugly incident that happened in some of the league centre on Sunday.
Th e LMC found Kano Pillars guilty for violations of Rules B13.18 and C1 and fi ned the club a total of N7.25m as well as other consequential fi nes and closure of stadium to fans until further notice.
Th e fi ne against Kano Pillars also includes N250, 000 as compensation to one Dr. Tunde Akinbinu, who was assaulted, in addition to any certifi ed medical bills arising from the attack by the club supporters after the match day 18 fi xture against Akwa United on Sunday.
It also includes N1m compensation to Akwa United for assault on members of the team in addition to any other certifi ed medical bills, a fi ne of N3,000,000.00 for conduct capable of bringing the game into disrepute and deduction of three points, the execution of which shall be suspended for a probationary period of the remainder of the season.
“We recognise that football is a game of passion and there are bound to be emotional outbursts when people pursue their passion especially in supporting their favourite clubs. It is also in recognition of this that regulations have been put in place placing responsibility on clubs to ensure safety of all on match days and expecting our players and coaches to uphold the highest level of decorum and discipline in carrying out their duties on the fi eld,” the statement from the LMC reads. Th e LMC also handed sanctions Kano Pillars’ pair of Rabiu Ali and Murtala Adamu for threatening the referee and conducting themselves in a manner that was capable of inciting others to commit violence or misconduct which constituted a breach of Rule C1 and consequently suspended for one match. Enyimba’s goalkeeper, Fatau Dauda, a one-match ban and fi ned the Ghanaian international N50, 000 for his aggression towards a ball boy during their match against Katsina United.
Dauda was charged for breaches of Rules C11 and C1 which included assault on a ball boy and acts capable of inciting others to commit violence during their match day 18 fi xture against Katsina United. Remo Stars have been fi ned a total of N2.5m for various breaches, including harassment of the referee, throwing of objects on the pitch and an assault on sports journalist Kelvin Ekerete during a matchday 15 fi xture in Sagamu. Remo Stars will also play their next three home matches behind closed doors and compensate Mr Ekerete with N250,000.
Th ey have also been punished with a suspended threepoint deduction. Katsina United were have also been fi ned N2.5m and a suspended three -point deduction for their attack on the Enyimba bus after their match on Sunday.
Th e clubs and players were given 48 hours to submit in writing to the decisions of the LMC or elect to appear before a commission and for which further sanctions would be imposed should their appeals not be upheld.
