By Amaechi Agbo

Nigeria Premier Football League defending champions, Enyimba FC of Aba have been fined a total of ₦10, 000, 000.00 (ten million naira) and deducted three points and three goals after they abandoned their matchday 35 match against Rangers International F.C of Enugu in Enugu on Sunday.

The match which had large spectators who came to watch the encounter was disrupted at 95 minute and later abandoned after Enyimba players protested against the penalty awarded against them.

Enyimba refused to continue the game which also led to their fans invading the pitch and chasing people away with objects.

The NPFL organisers in its ruling over the disgraceful act has found Enyimba players, management and supporters culpable and fined them accordingly.

The NFL found Enyimba in breach of its five rules governing the game and subsequently fined a combined ₦10 million and awarded 3 points and 3 goals to Rangers.

Below are the summary of the ruling by the NPFL released on Monday:

To: Enyimba Int’l FC Date: 10″ june 2024

Upon review of the findings of the official reports for the Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l, held at the Nnamdi Aztkiwe Stadium, Enugu, on 9” June 2024, the Nigeria Premier Football League states its findings as follows:

You are in breach of Rule C9 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 9 June 2024, in the course of Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, you failed to ensure the proper conduct of your players, officials and supporters.

You are in breach of Rule B6.23 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 9 June 2024, in the course of Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, you disrupted the transmission of a live broadcast.

You are in breach of Rule B13.18 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 9 June 2024, in the course of Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, your team and supporters threw objects and encroached unto the field of play.

You are in breach of Rule C1.1 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 9 June 2024, in the course of Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, you refused to continue with the match in protest against the penalty awarded in favour of your opponents, an act that goes against the principles of fair play, sportsmanship, the league rules, and, is capable of bringing the game to disrepute.

You are in breach of Rule B13.24 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 9 June 2024, in the course of Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, you caused the disruption and discontinuation of the match.

Consequently, the NPFL hereby impose on you the following sanctions:

A fine of One Million Naira only (N1,000,000) for failing to ensure the proper conduct of your team.

A fine of Five Million Naira only (N5,000,000) for disrupting a live broadcast.

3. A fine of One Million Naira only (N1,000,000) for throwing of objects unto the field of play.
4. A fine of One Million Naira only (N1,000,000) for encroachment unto the field of play.
5. An order forfeiting 3 points and 3 goals in favour of your opponent refusing to allow the penalty awarded in favour of your opponents to be taken, thereby disrupting the match and bringing the game to disrepute.
6. A fine of Two Million Naira only (N2,000,000) for causing the disruption and discontinuation of the match.
7. An order for Enyimba to identify and produce for further investigation and appropriate sanctions, other players and officials complicit in the disruptive conducts (particularly against the match officials) that led to a discontinuation of the game, in addition to the following identified players; Eze Ekwutoziam (Jersey No.6), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Jersey No.27), and Akanni Elijah (Jersey No.10).

In accordance with Rule C26, you are required, within 48 hours of the date of this notice, to either:

1) submit to the summary jurisdiction and the sanctions contained herein; or

2) elect to be dealt with by a disciplinary panel. Any such election must be in writing addressed to the undersigned at the office of the NPFL. Should you submit to the summary jurisdiction and the prescribed sanctions, kindly note that the fines therein are to be paid within 7 working days.

Note that in accordance with Rule E1, where an appeal or election to be dealt with by a disciplinary panel fails or is found to have been frivolous, such party may be liable to such additional sanction(s) as may be deemed fit in the circumstances.j