AITEO Cup: NFF hammer falls on Kogi Utd, Zamfara Utd
NAN-S
Sanction
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Aug. 17, 2017 (NAN) The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) through its AITEO Cup Committee on Thursday said it had sanctioned Kogi United and Zamfara United Football Club respectively for breach of the competition’s rule.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match between Kogi United and Rangers International FC was abandoned in the second half, when a group of persons invaded the field of play and attacked the referee.
At that time, with the scores at 2-1 in favour of Kogi Unted (the home team), the referee had just awarded a penalty to Rangers International.
The match between Bayelsa United and Zamfara United FC did not hold because the away team, (Zamfara United) did not show up.
According to a statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s spokesman, and made available to NAN on Thursday in Abuja, the Aiteo Cup Committee took the decisions based on its findings.
“For encroachment and the consequential disruption of the match, in breach of Rule 3.11.1 of the Competition Kogi United shall forfeit the match to Rangers International and is consequently eliminated from the Competition.
“Furthermore, Kogi United is banned from the next two (2018 and 2019) editions of the Competition;
“Kogi United shall pay a fine oN1,000,000.00. In addition, Kogi United shall pay the sum of N250,000.00 as compensation to the referee for assault; as well as the costs of any certified medical bills,” the statement said.
It also fined Kogi State Football Association for failure to provide and or ensure adequate security, in breach of Rule 3.2.1 of the Competition Rules
“The Kogi State Football Association shall pay a fine of N250,000.00.
“In adition, the Kogi State Football Association shall be suspended from hosting any match in the on-going competition.
“This sanction is however suspended and will take effect in the event that the Kogi State Football Association is found to be in further breach of Rule 3.2.1.,” it said.
The Chairman of the Club as well as the Head of Kogi United Supporters’ Club were also indicted and subsequently banned from all activities of the competition.
“For inciting supporters of the club to commit acts of violence and or breach of the Rules of the Competition, pursuant to Rule 6.2.1, the Chairman of Kogi United, Abdul Sule, is banned from all match venues.
“He is also banned from all activities of the Competition for the remainder of the current edition of the Competition.
“For leading and participating in the acts of encroachment, assault on the referee and consequential disruption of the match, the Head of Kogi United Supporters’ Club, Maikudi Kanin-Bala is banned from all football-related activities forthwith.
“He is also banned for the next two seasons i.e. until the end of the 2019 Season,” the statement said.
The statement also noted that Zamfara United FC was also eliminated from the competition for failure to honour their match obligation and not providing any acceptable reason.
“For failure to honour the match obligation without any acceptable reason, in breach of Rule 3.10.1 of the Competition, Zamfara United is consequently eliminated from the Competition and shall forfeit the match to Bayelsa United;
“Furthermore, Zamfara United is banned from the next two (2018 and 2019) editions of the Competition;
“Zamfara United shall pay a fine of N1,000,000.00, ” it said. (NAN)
VO/YAZ
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