The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has fined Ikorodu City a total of N3 million and also banned their fans from watching two of their homes games as punishment for the rowdy scenes created by the supporters, who also assaulted Remo Stars’ Coach, Sulaimon Kamil, during their Week 16 game at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, on Sunday.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw. The league body also issued a stern warning to all the NPFL club officials and their coaches to refrain from using unsavoury expressions about the league while granting media interviews. It specifically reprimanded Shooting Stars Coach, Gbenga Ogunbote, for his outbursts after one of the club’s games against Ikorodu City FC in Lagos on Matchday 12.
The NPFL noted that during an inquest, Ogunbote expressed regrets and apologised for his outbursts and was directed to issue a public apology.
In Ikorodu City’s case, the club was charged for breach of Rules B13.52, B13.18 and C9.
In a summary jurisdiction notice, the NPFL charged Ikorodu City with failing to provide adequate security, which resulted in unauthorised persons gaining access to restricted areas and assaulting Remo Stars’ Coach Kamil in breach of Rule B13.52 of the league’s frameworks and rules.
The NPFL also charged Ikorodu City for failing to ensure proper conduct of their team and supporters in breach of Rule C9.
The club was ordered to identify and prosecute the fan who assaulted Coach Kamil, while they will play their next two consecutive home games without admitting fans to the stands.
In its decision, the NPFL ordered Ikorodu City to file a report detailing the progress of this action, which must be submitted to the body “within seven working days of the date of this notice.”
It added: “In accordance with Rule C26, you are required, within 48 hours of the date of this notice, to either submit to the summary jurisdiction and the sanctions contained herein; or elect to be dealt with by a disciplinary panel.”
