NAN-S-20
Meeting
By Emmanuel Afonne
Abuja, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo on Monday met with the Chairman of Heartland FC, Owerri following decision of the League Management Company (LMC) which relegated the club to a lower division.
Media Officer of the club, Cajetan Nkwopara, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on phone that the meeting was in connection with the different positions taken by the club’s management over the LMC decision.
NAN reports that Heartland Chairman Goodfaith Otuemena and other members of the management team have different views over the LMC‘s verdict which saw the club relegated to the lower division.
Nkwopara said that the meeting with the governor was to harmonise position and think of the next line of action on the matter.
He said that the outcome of the meeting would be communicated to the media once a position was taken.
The LMC after a review of reports and video of the week 38 match against Plateau United said Heartland breached the rule for abandoning the match following a dispute with the referee’s call.
The match played on Oct. 2 saw the club fined N3 million and a forfeiture of the three points and three goals for not continuing with the tie.
The points and goals were later awarded to Plateau United after the tie was abandoned by Heartland in the 75th minute at 1-1.
This is the first time Heartland will be relegated from the elite league to a lower division since it was formed in 1976.
The management of Plateau United which was also fined N1 million for not controlling its fans, had accepted the verdict.
United fans were caught on camera throwing objects into the field of play which led to the delay in the start of the second half, an act considered a breach of rule B13.18.
The LMC’s decision is subject to the ruling of Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation. (NAN)
EMAF/MEMO
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Edited/Controlled by Mike Mbonye