By Amaechi Agbo

The Nigeria National League, NNL management has slammed the sum of one million naira on Vandrezzer FC for abandoning their matchday 8 encounter with Go Round FC in Rivers State.

This is as the league body also awarded three points and three goals to the host team, Go Round FC as a result.

In a three-page decision reached by the NNL management as well as observations and sanctions made, the NNL noted discrepancies in pre-match reports of the home and away teams.

While noting that the pre-match meeting agreed that only two cameras would be used during the aborted match, the report of the General Manager of Vandrezzer FC was found to read 5 cameras.   

Below is the content of the sanction obtained

“The Nigeria National League Compliance Unit on the 611 Al)lil, 2()21 had a sitting with the officials of Go Round FC, Vandrezzer FC and the Match  Commissioner of the match following the aborted week 8 League match which was scheduled at Krisdera Stadium Omoku, Rivers State.

In line With the official match reports available to us, and the various submissions made during the hearing it was discovered that:

 1.       Vandrezzer FC came into Omoku two days before the match.

11. At the pre-match meeting it was generally resolved that only 2 cameras each shall be allowed by both teams’ camera crew.

 111. That while that of the pre-match meeting form of the Match Commissioner, Center Referee, the host Football Association and home team read 2 cameras, that of the away team read 5 cameras.

 That all the stakeholders in the pre match meeting endorsed the pre match meeting forms accordingly.

 That Vandrezzer FC General Manager reported that they abandoned the match on following grounds:

a.       That they were not allowed to use their usual 5 cameras for live streaming.

b.      That they had security concerns. They felt that their lives were no longer safe in Omoku following the body language of the people.

VI. That at about 3pm Vandrazzer FC players and officials were in their bus at the stadium, but later drove out of the stadium without any form of communication to the match commissioner or any of the match officials.

Vil. That after observing the compulsory 30 minutes, a walk over was pronounced (against Vandrezzer FC.

Observations:

That based on the submissions of both clubs and the Match Commissioner, and the match reports available to us, the League hereby observe as follows:

1 That Vandrezzer FC Team Manager admitted that during the pre-match meeting they agreed on 2 cameras to be used but he went ahead to write 5 on his pre-match meeting sheet.

11 That it is the prerogative of the Match Commissioner to certify the safety and security arrangements at the stadium before a match take place.

111 That the fixture of a league game is not dependant on the number of cameras used in broadcasting.

Decision:

Consequent upon the foregoing and in accordance to Article 14.5, 14.7 and 14.9 of the Rules and regulations guiding the League, the League hereby decides as follows:

1 That Vandrezzer FC should henceforth play the game according to the provisions of the rule book guiding the League.

11 That the report of the Match Commissioner and the Center Referee is hereby upheld. Therefore, Go Round FC is hereby awarded 3 points 3 goals in line with articles 14.7 and 14.9 of the NNL rule book.

111 In line with Article 14.7 of the NNL rules and regulations, Vandrezzer FC is hereby fined the sum of N 1,000,000.00 for refusing to play their week 8 league match. This payment has to be made before the commencement of the 2nd phase of the 2020/2021 League season.

Kindly note that this is a summary jurisdiction by the league. You therefore have the right to appeal to the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation within 48 hours on receipt of this letter.”