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By Amaechi Agbo

Rivers Angels FC have been slammed with one million naira (₦1, 000, 000) fine following assault on match officials by their two players in their match on Friday against Bayelsa Queens at the ongoing Nigeria Women’s Football League, NWFL Super 6 Play-off in Asaba, Delta State.

The two players involved in the assault, Adjei Charlotte and Hassan Suliat were also handed a one-match suspension and will not take part in their 3rd place match on Sunday

Bayelsa Queens reached the final of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Super 6 after defeating rivals Rivers Angels by a lone goal on Friday.

The defending champions topped group A with six maximum points to book their spot in the final.

In Friday’s game, the Yenogao side got the only goal from the spot in the third minute of play.

But there was drama when the centre referee blew the final whistle after disallowing a stoppage time equaliser by the Port Harcourt side who needed a draw to progress to the final.

Players of Rivers Angels charged at the referee with the goalkeeper leading the pack. She shoved the referee as her colleagues were furiously advancing.

To save his own life, the centre referee took to his heels, and made an escape through the tunnel as security agents made frantic efforts to bring the enraged angels under control.

The grouse of the players was that the centre referee did not only award a fathom penalty for their opponents, he also disallowed their stoppage time equaliser.

The NWFL in a statement on Friday shortly after the match described the actions of Rivers Angels players as “unacceptable’adding that their action contravenes Article 26.1 of the game’s rule book.

“The NWFL acknowledged report on Match No. 5 between Rivers Angels FC and Bayelsa Queens FC in the 2023 NWFL Super Six Competition played on Friday, 9th June, 2023 in Asaba, Delta State where two of Rivers Angels players assaulted a match official in the aforementioned match.

“An assault on Match official(s) in any form is a serious offense which goes against the principles of fair play and respect for match officials. Therefore, the action of Rivers Angels is totally not acceptable by the Nigeria Women Football League.

“After thorough investigation into the incident and also reports from Match Officials confirming the unruly behavior from the two players, the Nigeria Women Football League have decided to impose the following sanctions on Rivers Angels,” the league body noted

Adding consequently, that “A fine of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) have been imposed on Rivers Angels for contravening Article 26.1 which states that “any player or official who assaults a match official or any other person in the course of a match through physical, verbal, intimidation or form of body language that are deemed offensive on or against match officials are liable to a fine of N1,000,000.00 and possible banishment. The NWFL may place a ban of up to 1 year on a venue where Match Officials are assaulted.

“Players Jersey No. 12, Adjei Charlotte and Jersey No. 22, Hassan Suliat have been suspended respectively for the 3rd Place match between Confluence Queens FC and Rivers Angels FC for bringing the game to disrepute.

“NWFL strongly encourage that Rivers Angels ensure that their players and officials understand the importance of fair play and respect for match officials.”

The final will hold on Sunday, June 11, 2023 .

The 2023 NWFL Premiership Super 6 champions will represent the country at the 2023 WAFU-B Women’s Champions League qualifiers in August when they will be eyeing a spot in the finals.