Heartland Football Management Reacts To LMC Sanctions On Mikel Brother, Club

The LMC had on March 30th, 2016, released series of sanctions to erring clubs for different offences,  in the case of Heartland FC apart from banning Ebele Obi for six matches the club was also fined the sum N750,000 for what they tagged inability of the management to control the actions of their players.

In response this development, the media officer to the club, Solomon Onu, wish to state the club’s position on this unfortunate incident:

1. Heartland FC of Owerri a prestigious club since its formation in 1976 is not known for violent actions, “we are a law abiding  and peaceful club” on which to state that the six match ban and N750,000 fine is a bit excessive. You cannot bit a child and ask him or her not to cry.

2. We will like to state for the records that we are not challenging the authority of the LMC nor the NFF, rather we insist we should be giving a fair hearing on this ugly incident.

If every club owner or GM/Chairman decides to beat up opposing players, how many players will be left in the League?  The slap on the wrist on IfeanyiUbah leaves more questions than answers.

We appeal that the League body take a second look at the matter with the view of sanctioning erring individuals to serve a deterrent to other bullies (GM/Club owners).

3. The players, management and staff of Heartland FC and the good people of Imo State ask that justice should not just be done but to be perceived to be done and that Ifeanyi Ubah should be sanctioned appropriately.

We also advice that LMC should have consulted their match delegate who were present during the game (Osondu Ngude and Promise Etim).

Finally football is a unifying force and not a tool for thugery and violence as exhibited by Ifeanyi Ubah and his thugs.
 
Solomon Onu