The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has taken quick action and sanctioned Nasarawa United following Sunday’s stabbing incident during their match against Plateau United in Lafia.
Nasarawa United fans invaded the Lafia Township Stadium pitch after the match and one of them stabbed Plateau United’s Vincent Temitope in the neck.
Although Nasarawa United won the home fixture 3-2, the fans apparently targeted Temitope because he scored one of Plateau United’s goals and also won a penalty.
The club will now have to play their home matches in Gombe, almost 500 kilometres from the Nasarawa State capital.
“Nasarawa United have been hit with an exile from their Lafia City Stadium home ground and imposed a fine of N6 million for repeated offences of inadequate security and fan restiveness,” the NPFL said in a statement on Monday.
“The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) imposed the sanctions in a swift reaction to the confirmed reports of assault on a Plateau United player, Vincent Temitope, and attempt to harass match officials at the end of the Matchday 33 fixture against Plateau United.
“In a four-count charge, Nasarawa United were cited for breaches of Rules B13.52, B13.22, C9 and C11.
“For failure to provide adequate security, the NPFL fined the club N1 million, another N1million for failure to ensure proper conduct of their supporters in violation of Rule C9 and N1million for medical expenses for Vincent Temitope who was assaulted in breach of Rule C11.
“The club is to pay N3m for repeated breaches of the NPFL Frameworks and Rules with the additional punishment of having their home fixtures away from Lafia to the Pantami Stadium in Gombe.”
Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL, who signed the letter to the club, reiterated that the sanctions were imposed to lay emphasis on the league’s zero tolerance for misconduct.
Nasarawa United have 48 hours to respond in writing to accept the rulings or elect to appear before a disciplinary panel.
Incidentally, Nasarawa United had been previously banished from their home ground due to similar violent conduct this season.
