LMC Sanctions Giwa For Breach Of Regulations,Fined N6.75m, Banished to Ilorin

Giwa FC has been fined N5 million and ordered to play their next three home matches at the Ilorin Township Stadium amongst other sanctions placed on the club and its Media Officer by the League Management Company (LMC) following investigations into the circumstances that led to the abandoning of the Match Day 12 fixture between the club and Rangers last Sunday.

The LMC issued Giwa FC with a Summary Jurisdiction Notice containing six separate breaches of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Framework and Rules and accordingly sanctioned the club on each count while the club’s Media Officer, David King was fined N100, 000 for breach of Clauses 1.1 and 1.5 of the code of conduct for club officials.

Some supporters of the club disrupted the fixture severally by hauling dangerous objects on the field aimed at the Second Assistant Referee forcing the Referee to a finally call off the match on the 74th minute.

The LMC in a statement on Tuesday said after careful study of the match report and assessment of video evidence, charged Giwa FC for breaches of Rule B13.18, B13.21, B13.52, C9, C12 and C1.

For the discontinuation of the match due to the unruly conduct of the supporters, Giwa FC was fined N5, 000, 000 in line with B13.18 while the match will be concluded behind closed doors from the 74th minute on Wednesday, April 27 at the Abuja National Stadium with scores at 1-0 in favour of Rangers.

Giwa FC was ordered to play their next three home games at the Ilorin Township Stadium for the unruly conduct of their supporters which included throwing of objects towards the field of play and to the Second Assistant Referee and causing disturbances in the course of the match which was in breach of Rules B13.21.

The LMC further ordered that “due to the persistent nature of such disturbances by supporters of Giwa FC, the club shall play its remaining home matches behind closed doors and supporters of the Club are banned from all League match venues for the remainder of the season; provided that the LMC reserves the right to lift the ban at any time on the condition of receipt of firm and satisfactory assurance and commitment (including training and orientation seminar for supporters of the Club under the
supervision of the LMC) guaranteeing the responsible behaviour and orderly conduct of supporters of the Club”.

For failing to ensure adequate security, crowd control and preventing access by unauthorised persons to restricted areas, Giwa FC was found to be in breach of Rule B13.52 and the club was accordingly fined the sum of N500, 000 while for failure to control their players and officials, the club was fined the sum of N750, 000 in line with the provisions of Rules C9.

For the assault on the Match Commissioner and Referee, Giwa FC was fined N500, 000 in line with Rule C12 while the club is further “required to ensure, within the next seven days, that in addition to the apprehension of one of the suspects, Goje, his co-culprit identified as Apiya is also apprehended and prosecuted by the relevant security agencies for assaulting the Referee, failure of which a fine of N25,000.00 per day shall accrue, until such time the offender is apprehended and charged to court”.

The LMC said it is has received reports that the two supporters are notorious for acts of violent assault on match officials and are said to be serving a two years match ban before the incident of last Sunday.

It also ruled that in addition,“for acts and conduct capable of bringing the game to disrepute in breach of Rule C1, a suspended two-point deduction has been imposed on Giwa FC which will be triggered should there be any subsequent incidents of disturbances by supporters of the Club for the remainder of the season.

Giwa FC has 48 hours within which to indicate in writing the acceptance of the exercise of Summary Jurisdiction or elect to appear before a commission.

Harry Iwualu, MO LMC