By Nurudeen Obalola
The Nigeria Football Federation has overturned the decisions of the Nigeria Premier Football League to deduct three points from Bendel Insurance and Nasarawa United.
The NPFL had fined Insurance and removed three points and three goals from their haul after violence marred the league clash against visiting Kano Pillars at the Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on November 11.
However, the NFF announced on Thursday that its disciplinary committee ruled that the fines were enough punishment for the assault on match officials.
“The Committee affirmed paragraphs a, b, c, d, and f of the decisions (fines) of the NPFL as contained in Form 16, Summary Jurisdiction Notice to Bendel Insurance FC dated 11th November, 2024.
“The order in paragraph “e” deducting 3 points and 3 goals from the accrued points/goals of Bendel Insurance FC by the NPFL is hereby set aside, on the ground that the assault on the match officials was not grievous as provided in Rule C11 of the Frameworks and Rules of the NPFL.”
With the NFF verdict, Bendel Insurance will climb from 15th to ninth, now on 32 points and a plus one goal difference.
The NFF also reversed the points deduction issued against Nasarawa United for their actions during the home fixture in Lafia against Rivers United on December 22.
The NFF affirmed the fines against Nasarawa United recommended the match commissioner for demotion.
“The Committee affirmed paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the decisions of the NPFL as contained in Form 16, Summary Jurisdiction Notice to Nasarawa United FC dated 13th January, 2025,” it said.
“The order in paragraph “4” deducting 3 points and 3 goals from the accrued points/goals of Nasarawa United FC by the NPFL is hereby set aside, on the ground that the case of assault on the match official was not proven beyond reasonable doubt.
“The Committee recommends that the Match Commissioner Mr. Godfrey Maman JP should be demoted to the Nigeria National League (NNL) category with immediate effect.”
Nasarawa United have now been lifted from 19th to 17th, with 25 points.
The governing body also considered Plateau United’s protest against a points deduction following their home match against Enugu Rangers in November.
The NFF upheld NPFL’s decisions, including the points deduction, leaving Plateau United 16th, just above the relegation zone on goal difference.
