LMC Reprimands Delta FA, Sanctions Warri Wolves, Team Manager and Player

Nigeria Football Professional League governing body has reprimanded the Delta State Football Association for not ensuring adequate and proper security at the Warri Township Stadium during the Match Day 17 Glo Premier League match between Warri Wolves and Enyimba International. Warri Wolves FC, its Team Manager and player were also subjected to disciplinary measures for various breaches of the Rules and Framework during their rescheduled Match Day 7 fixture in Ibadan against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC).

The sanctions are part of the latest measures by the League Management Company (LMC) to enforce compliance to the league rules by all participating clubs and their players.

These decisions were conveyed to the various parties through letters signed by Salihu Abubakar, the Chief Operating Officer of the LMC. He said the LMC has a duty to call every individual and club to order to serve as deterrent to others who may find themselves in similar situations.

In these latest disciplinary measures carried out in exercise of Summary Jurisdiction, a fine of N250, 000 has been imposed on Warri Wolves for the encroachment on to the field of play by its officials and substitute players. The Club’s Team Manager, Gordon Ogbe was also fined N50, 000 and suspended from one match for exhibiting several acts of misconduct and “failing to set positive example for others and showing disrespect to the Match Officials by leading a confrontation that delayed the Match Officials from gaining access to the changing room”

Midfielder, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu was also handed an additional one match ban to the automatic ban arising from his expulsion in the match against 3SC and fined N50, 000 for “several acts of misconduct including showing disregard for the authority and decision of the Referee by refusing to leave the field after being issued a red car and violently pushing his fingers into the eye of the Referee”. The LMC held that the action of the player was not in the best interest of the game and “failed to comply with the principles of fair play, sportsmanship, the rules and regulations governing the league and acting in a manner capable of bringing the league to disrepute”.

In a related development, FC Taraba and its Welfare Officer, Fada Dennis have opted to appear the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Disciplinary Committee to defend themselves on the charge of assault on Match Referee in their Match Day 14 fixture against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC). The Club was fined N500, 000 while Dennis was suspended from participating in the league activities for the rest of the season.