LMC Moves on Four Clubs Six Referees, Fines Ikhana N.1m

Four Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs have been charged by the League Management Company (LMC) for various breaches bothering on failure to provide adequate security and unacceptable supporters behavior even as match officials involved in three of the ten games of Match Day 32 also received queries. The Chairman of Heartland FC Supporters Club, one Iyke Jacob was handed a six match ban for acts of intimidation and harassment of Referees. Enyimba’s Coach, Khadiri Ikhana was also charged for making public comments that are deemed inimical to the promotion of the league and was fined N100, 000.

Enyimba Coach Kadiri Ikhana

Nasarawa United, Giwa FC, Abia Warriors and Heartland FC were fined minimum of half a million Naira as the LMC exercised Summary Jurisdiction after thorough investigation of reported crowd incidences during the matches involving the four sides.

In the various notices of Summary Jurisdiction signed by the LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar and sent to the clubs, they were issued the statutory 48 hours notice to submit to the decisions of the LMC or indicate in written response a choice to appear before a panel.

The LMC ruled that comments made by Ikhana during a post match interview did not portray the league in good light contrary to his responsibilities as a Manager under article 14 of the Code of Conduct for Managers and Coaches.

In specific rulings concerning the affected clubs, Giwa FC as hosts of the fixture against Kano Pillars was cited for breach of Article C1 and B15.16 and consequently fined N500, 000 and N250, 000. For the unruly behavior of their fans which Article B15.16 makes clear is a responsibility of the club, Giwa FC was fined N500, 000 while another fine of N250, 000 was imposed on the club for failure to ensure adequate security at match venue. Recalling that Giwa FC had been cautioned after Match Day 1 against Abia Warriors for similar breach, the club was issued a final warning failing which it will be subjected to a stadium ban to supporters and or relocated to a neutral venue.

Nasarawa United was also cited for unruly conduct of their fans in the match against Lobi Stars, fined N500, 000 and warned against a repeat which will lead to stadium ban to supporters and relocation to neutral venue.

TIMOTHY SIMON OF NASARAWA AND HAMMED JIMOH OF KWARA UTD (3) photo credit LMC Media

Like Nasarawa United, Abia Warriors and Heartland were also fined N500, 000 for unruly behavior of fans and failure to provide hitch free match day experience. Abubakar said “the sanctions are a demonstration of the LMC’s strong objection to failure on the part of clubs to provide hitch-free match day experiences for the thousands of fans who have since the implementation of various reform initiatives been returning to the stadiums for NPFL games”.

On the Referees, Referee I. Indabawa from Kano and his two Assistants from Kwara State, M. Surakat and S. O Toyin were recommended for investigation by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Referees Appointment Committee for below par performance in the Abia Warriors vs Rangers fixture. Also recommended for investigation was Assistant Referee A. Bulus from Abuja for deficiencies in the handling of the Heartland FC vs Enyimba match while the Center Referee, B. Odey from Abuja was reprimanded and advised to improve performance and control of match proceedings. James Amadin from Edo State also received a reprimand and caution to improve match management. The Referees recommended for investigation were also requested to be withdrawn from further handling of matches in the NPFL until after the conclusion of investigation.

The LMC said it has increased match monitoring to ensure that clubs maintained the decorum that has prevailed all through the season and cautioned that “we can not allow some fans still steeped in the old order to bring to disrepute the integrity, pleasant match day experiences and increased positive public perception of the league”. Abubakar said the “LMC is aware that majority of the thousands of fans who throng league venues are law abiding, passionate lovers of the game and we assure these loyal fans that they will be protected to enjoy the improving quality of our matches at all times”.

LMC Suspends FC Taraba Official For Rest Of Season Fines 3SC, Ikhana And Cautions Enyimba

Three Clubs, a Coach and a Welfare Officer have been sanctioned by the League Management Company (LMC) for varying violations of the Rules and Framework in recently concluded games of the 2014/15 season.

An official of FC Taraba, Fada Dennis who serves as the Welfare Officer has been suspended from all Glo Premier League activities for the remaining games of the season. The club officer was cited for assaulting Referee Bala Mohammed in Makurdi after the Match Day 14 fixture against Shooting Stars.

Enyimba Coach Kadiri Ikhana

The LMC charged also FC Taraba with failure to provide adequate security on Match Day 14 after their match against Shooting Stars which allowed unauthorized persons to gain access to restricted area and which led to the attack on Referee Bala Mohammed.

The sanctions on the club includes playing one home game behind closed doors, fine of N500, 000 and payment of N250, 000 compensation to Referee Mohammed.

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) was fined N500, 000 for not providing proper security which led to access for unauthorized persons into restricted area, leading to the assault on Enyimba International Coach, Khadiri Ikhana on Match Day 13.

Enyimba International got a caution for fans unruly conduct after the Match Day 16 fixture against Abia Warriors at the Enyimba International Stadium. Supporters of Enyimba were charged for “failing to show due regard to the authority and decisions of Match Officials and engaged in unruly conduct after the match which is capable of bringing the game into disrepute”.

Enyimba fc

The Club was therefore cautioned to guard against a recurrence as the stadium would be banned should such unruly conduct of their supporters occur again within the remaining games of the season.
Coach Ikhana of Enyimba also had a fine of N100, 000 imposed on him for failing to act in ethical and professional manner during the Match Day 16 fixture against Abia Warriors.

Ikhana was charged with “going beyond his technical area and unto the pitch in the bid to confront match officials” before being restrained by security officials.

The clubs were in accordance with the rules also offered options of accepting the decisions or stating in writing within 48 hours the option of appearing before a commission.

3SC LINE UP. Glo NPFL photo credit LMC Media

Ahead Glo League Super 4: Ikhana Seeks Title Brace For Enyimba

Glo Premier League Super 4 defending champions, Enyimba International FC of Aba have had a slow start to the season and Coach Khadiri Ikhana insists however that they are good to successfully defend the trophy they won last season. Players of the 2014 Federations Cup champions were expected in camp Monday afternoon as the undisclosed issues that kept them away from camp was said to have been resolved.

Ikhana admitted that the club may not have had the best of a build-up to the tournament but took solace in the reality of the opportunity to compete which the tournament offers. “I have to confess that it has been rough with the team but then we are resolved to successfully defend the title we won last season. More importantly, the tournament is coming at a very good period because we will use it to assess and correct our match strategies ahead the CAF Champions League match on February 13 against Buffles of Benin Republic.

Enyimba’s Starting 11

The former Kano Pillars handler singled out his former side who are the league champions as the toughest opponents for Enyimba, noting that they have been preparing very well since last year unlike the other clubs in the tournament.

“If you ask me the best club at the moment, I would say Kano Pillars because they have had an excellent preparation and when a club prepares well, it is easier to win but then, Enyimba cannot be ruled out because we also have retained most of the players that were with us last season. We will count on their experience and team spirit to do well”, submitted Ikhana who led Enyimba to Nigeria’s first ever Champions League win in 2003.

Enyimba Coach Kadiri Ikhana

He is also counting on the quality of some of his new signings to make a good showing at the tournament, showing special interest in the duo from Abia Warriors, defender, Chima Uluocha and forward, Onyekachi Peter. “We saw those boys play against us and we are convinced they have the quality to help Enyimba and this tournament is a good place to integrate them into the squad in a competitive environment”, the coach revealed.

Enyimba, Dolphins, Kano Pillars and Warri Wolves are the clubs involved in the Glo Premier League Super 4 which also has the National U-20 (Flying Eagles) and the National U-23 (Dream Team) participating on invitation. The tournament starts on Saturday, January 24 with opening fixture between Dolphins and Kano Pillars.