NPFL: IMC rolls out far-reaching decisions ahead of weekend games  

By Olusola Adebayo 

Far-reaching disciplinary measures were rolled out by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Wednesday even as various requests by clubs for change of venue and postponement of fixtures were also addressed ahead of the upcoming matchday seven this weekend. 

Fans shut out at Elkanemi, fines 750,000 

El-Kanemi Warriors were fined and are to play their remaining fixtures of the first half of the season behind closed doors just as the Coach of Bayelsa United received a warning to be of good conduct.

The IMC after a review of the findings of the official reports of the MatchDay 5 fixture between El-Kanemi Warriors and Bendel Insurance, found the host team to have breached Rule B13.52 for failure to provide adequate and effective security for all persons involved in the match and which led to the destruction of the camera tripod of the away team, and disagreements before the resumption of the second half.

El-Kanemi was thus fined ₦500,000 for failure to provide adequate and effective security, ₦250,000 being compensatory payment to Coach Monday Odigie of Bendel Insurance and an order to replace the damaged camera tripod of Bendel Insurance.

IMC warns Bayelsa coach for unguarded statement 

Following his apologies for making an unguarded public statement on the league contrary to Rule C15 and Appendix B7, Coach Deprieye Tebowei of Bayelsa United received a final reprimand with a warning to refrain from further breach of the rules on the conduct of club officials.

"The respondent and officials of Bayelsa United are further advised to direct their grievances and complaints through the official channels in the future", the IMC further advised.

IMC turns down Enyimba and two other clubs' requests 

Three clubs, Lobi Stars, Enyimba, and Abia Warriors had their requests for fixtures adjustment declined by the IMC which cited the need to maintain the fidelity of fixtures and avoid future fixture congestion. 

Lobi sought to reschedule their MatchDay 7 fixture against Dakkada while Abia Warriors also requested a shift in date for the game against Wikki Tourists and Enyimba is requesting a change in date for their MatchDay 8 game against Shooting Stars.

Abia Warriors was consequently directed to host Wikki Tourists at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba on the same date just as Lobi were advised to make adequate arrangements to play their MatchDay 7 game on the scheduled date of February 11.

Abia Warrior's prayer answered 

In a separate development, Abia Warriors have been provisionally permitted the continued use of the Umuahia Township Stadium for the remainder of the first stanza of the season being MatchDay 9. Subsequently, the ground would be evaluated to decide if it meets club Licensing Infrastructure requirements.

Still, on the Infrastructure requirement of the Club Licensing, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) also has its home ground, the Lekan Salami Stadium on provisional approval. The IMC wrote the club, saying, "The present condition of the playing turf at the Lekan Salami Stadium, is not television-friendly and falls short of acceptable standards. You are therefore directed to take immediate steps to improve the condition of the playing pitch before the end of the first half of the season (Week 9)". The club was warned that failure to comply would lead to its home games being moved to an alternate ground before the start of the second stanza.

Nasarawa United got approval to return to the New Jos Township Stadium for their remaining fixtures of the season with a warning that further requests for venue change will not be entertained. Nasarawa will thus host Kwara United in Jos for the MatchDay 7 game this weekend.

Other decisions reached by the IMC include the lifting of the suspension of Jumbo Wisdom, considered to have served adequate punishment for card offenses and therefore eligible to feature for Doma United in MatchDay 7 against Rangers. The reprieve was granted owing to conflicting accounts in the preliminary and substantive match reports of the Referee. 

Two referees under probe 

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has been requested to review the performance of Referee Amadi Promise of Rivers State following a protest lodged by Sunshine Stars for his handling of their MatchDay 5 fixture against Lobi Stars in Makurdi.

The IMC is also seeking the evaluation of the suitability of Referee Taiwo David for further officiating in NPFL games following his performance in the MatchDay 5 fixture in Port Harcourt between Rivers United and Wikki Tourists.