09/07/2022
LMC on Rampage, Kano Pillars May Be Relegated
DECISION OF THE NFF DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 8TH JULY, 2022 AT PARKVIEW HOTEL, WUSE ZONE 1, ABUJA
In the matter between Dakkada Int’l FC Vs. Kano Pillars FC in the match played between Kano Pillars FC Vs. Dakkada Int’l FC. The Committee rules as follows:
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FINDING:
1. That Kano Pillars FC failed to control its officials and ensure proper conduct during the match which resulted in the assault of a match official.
2. That the former chairman of Kano Pillars FC, Suraj Yahaya assaulted Assistant Referee 1 (Daramola Olalekan) during the course of the match.
3. That Mr. Uchenna Iyioke, a League Management Company Delegate at the instance of Kano Pillars FC officials lost valuables.
4. That officials of Kano Pillars FC damaged a camera (Sony HD Full HD 1920x1080) belonging to Dakkada Int’l FC.
5. That the assault of an Assistant Referee 1 (Daramola Olalekan) by the former Chairman of Kano Pillars FC (Suraj Yahaya) is an act capable of bringing the game to disrepute.
6. That the conduct of the Match Commissioner, Central Referee and the Assistant Referee 1 regarding the scoreline at the end of the match and the circumstances surrounding the report of the match under review left much to be desired.
7. That the League Management Company in her summary jurisdiction of 17th April 2022 in matchday 23 fixture between Kano Pillars FC and Katsina United FC imposed a sanction of forfeiture of three (3) points accruing to the club in the event of any similar breach. In this case, loss of property or valuables which they failed to implement.
8. That the Assistant Referee 1 despite the purported threat had no justification to have retracted or withdrew his decision after recognizing the goal scored by Dakkada Int’l FC in the 92nd minute of play as a legitimate goal.
9. That the Central Referee has no justification to disallow the goal scored by Dakkada Int’l FC in the 92nd minute after adjudging it as a legitimate goal.
10. That the inability of the Central Referee to maintain his decision on the outcome of the match, wherein he wrote two conflicting reports, has brought the game of football into disrepute.
DECISION:
In view of the above findings, the Committee decides as follows:
1. The NFF Disciplinary Committee adopts the summary jurisdiction of the League Management Company dated 25th June, 2022 with respect to Match Day 31 Fixture involving Kano Pillars FC Vs. Dakkada Int’l FC, particularly paragraphs a – g of their decision.
2. That the Match Officials, particularly the Match Commissioner, Centre Referee and the Assistant Referee 1 are hereby suspended for One (1) year from all football related activities with immediate effect, the Match Commissioners and Referee Appointment Committees are by this decision put on notice.
3. That despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the goal scored by Dakkada Int’l FC at the 92nd minute the committee lacks the power to reinstate or award a goal.
4. The Committee awards the sum of a One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N150,000.00) only as compensation for their damaged camera (Sony HD Full HD 1920x1080).
5. The Committee having found that Kano Pillars FC officials destroyed camera (Sony HD Full HD 1920x1080) belonging to Dakkada Int’l FC and lost valuables belonging to Uchenna Iyioke hereby activates the three (3) points suspended sentence contained in the summary jurisdiction of the League Management Company between Kano Pillars FC and Katsina United FC in matchday 23 fixtures dated the 17th day of April, 2022. Particularly paragraph 5(k) to wit: “In the event of any further similar breach of the League Rules, Kano Pillars FC shall forfeit three (3) points from the points accruing to the club in addition to any other sanctions that may be deemed appropriate”.
6. That the above decisions are without prejudice to the right of appeal.
In attendance: Damon Nandam Dashe Esq, (Ag. Chairman), Chike Onyeacho, Esq.(Member), Adamu Sani Osmond, Esq. (Member), Queen W. Otarakpo, Esq. (Secretary).
In the matter between Katsina United FC Vs. Kano Pillars FC in the match played between Kano Pillars FC Vs. Katsina United FC. The Committee Rules as follows:
FINDING:
1. That Kano Pillars FC applied to the League Management Company via letter 23rd May, 2022, to replace nine (9) of their injured players to conclude the discontinued match between Kano Pillars FC Vs. Katsina United FC dated 26th May, 2022.
2. That the League Management Company was unable to act on the said request earlier than 25th May, 2022 for want of supporting documents.
3. That upon request of supporting documents by the League Management Company from Kano Pillars FC, Kano Pillars FC furnished a medical report dated 24th May, 2022 a day to the scheduled match.
4. That consequent to the above, the League Management Company on the 25th of May 2022 through the Match Commissioner during the pre-match meeting notified both clubs of the decision allowing them to introduce new players into the game bearing in mind the duration of time between the disruption and continuation of the match being Six (6) weeks.
5. That the extant football rules have no express provisions for this, but rather it is a matter that falls within the discretion of the organizers.
6. That the League Management Company based her decision to allow both clubs to introduce new players to conclude the abandoned match on the 26th of May, 2022 pursuant to Rule B15.24 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League and Law 7.5 IFAB Laws of the Game 2021/2022 which came into force 1st July, 2021 and not IFAB Laws of the Game 2022/2023.
DECISION:
In view of the above findings, the Committee decides as follows:
1. That the subject matter is within the discretionary powers of the League Management Company which they exercised within their powers.
2. That given the time constraint and circumstances surrounding the request and eventual approval which was a day to the rescheduled match being the 26th day of May, 2022, the League Management Company acted accordingly.
3. That the above decisions are without prejudice to the right of appeal.
In attendance: Damon Nandam Dashe Esq, (Ag. Chairman), Chike Onyeacho, Esq.(Member), Adamu Sani Osmond, Esq. (Member), Queen W. Otarakpo, Esq. (Secretary).
In the matter between Niger Tornadoes FC Vs. Lobi Stars FC in the match played between Niger Tornadoes FC Vs. Lobi Stars FC. The Committee Rules as follows:
FINDING:
1. That the Committee found out that the singular incident of the Centre Referee seen lying down on the floor of the dressing room is not sufficient enough to warrant calling off the match.
2. That the Committee could not substantiate the veracity of the assault on the match officials.
3. That the President of Nigeria Football Referee Association (NRA) who was not at the venue of the match confirmed to the Committee that he instructed the Centre Referee to discontinue the match despite the Match Commissioner’s intervention and assurance that there was no reason for such directive.
4. That the Centre Referee in discharging his functions failed to assert his powers hence without justification complied with an unwarranted directive of the President, Nigeria Football Referee Association (NRA) thereby undermining the authority and powers of the Match Commissioner. Consequently, bringing the game to disrepute.
5. That the Match Assessor without justification instigated the disruption by raising false alarm to the President, Nigeria Football Referee Association (NRA) which eventually resulted in the disruption of the match under review.
6. That the conduct of the Centre Referee leaves much to be desired as he has no regards for constituted authority hence refused to respond to questions put forward to him through telephone call by the (NFF) Disciplinary Committee in respect to the match under review.
DECISION:
In view of the above findings, the Committee decides as follows:
1. The Committee adopts paragraphs (a) and (b) of the League Management Company summary jurisdiction between Niger Tornadoes FC Vs. Lobi Stars FC dated 7th June, 2022 in Matchday 30 fixtures between Niger Tornadoes FC Vs. Lobi Stars FC.
2. From the above findings, the Committee is satisfied that the two (2) points deducted from Niger Tornadoes FC was unjustified and is hereby restored.
3. That the Centre Referee (Imam Malik Umar) is hereby banned from all football related activities for two (2) years.
4. That the Match Assessor (Hussein Kabiru) is hereby banned from all football related activities for one (1) year.
5. That the conduct of the President NRA, (Otunba Tade Azeez) with respect to the role he played in the match under review, fell below his position and the expectation of his office. The Committee hereby reprimands and admonishes him to desist from such further disruptive conducts capable of bringing the game to disrepute.
6. That the above decisions are without prejudice to the right of appeal.
In attendance: Damon Nandam Dashe Esq, (Ag. Chairman), Chike Onyeacho, Esq.(Member), Adamu Sani Osmond, Esq. (Member), Queen W. Otarakpo, Esq. (Secretary).
