By Amaechi Agbo

On Saturday, 11th September 2021, the Nigeria National League, NNL Super 8 play-off final in Enugu was held to “hostage” as the Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin refused to show up for their final Southern Conference Group B match against Remo Stars.

The Benin Arsenal refused to honour the match despite dressing up and being at the stadiums dressing room.

They had grievances against the organisers following change of match officials for the match which the club alleged was orchestrated to favour their opponents, Remo Stars.

Below is the content of the letter UNEDITED.

11″ September 2021

The Chief Operating Officer Nigeria National League Olusegun Obasanjo Way Zone 7 Wuse, FCT, Abuja.

Through: The Secretary Edo State Football Association

2021 NNL SUPER 8 LEAGUE: SUDDEN CHANGE OF MATCH OFFICIALS IN OUR MATCH AGAINST REMO STARS, CELEBRATE PLAN AGAINST BENDEL (INSURANCE FC

It has came to our knowledge that the match officials originally appointed for our last group game with Remo Stars, have been changed on the requests of Remo Stars. This followed earlier information available to us that Remo Stars have perfected plans to heavily influence Referees against Bendel Insurance FC to achieve their aim of winning at all cost.

As a result of the foregoing, we are constrained to complain to the league and super 8 organizers that we will not respect the new arrangements because It is obvious the scrip of our opponents is being acted and will not allow fair play and level playing field.

We appeal to the organizers to stick to the original plan if they are sincere that they are not aiding Remo Stars against Bendel Insurance FC.

We totally lost confidence In the organizers as there were no inspection of players by the match officials in the game between Bendel insurance FC and Ekiti United and in today’s game, up to the moment of doing this letter at 3:10 PM when the match ought to have started; no referee has come to do inspections. These and other reasons have made us come to the conclusion that everything Is against Bendel insurance FC.

Charles ihimekpen
Secretary, BIFC