Nigerian Premier League Fines Enyimba Club N10 Million For Match Disruption
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed a fine of N10 million on Enyimba International Football Club for disrupting a live match against Rangers International Football Club at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu on June 9, 2024. The league also awarded three points and three goals to Enugu Rangers FC as part of the punishment.
According to a summary jurisdiction notice addressed to Enyimba International FC, the club breached several rules of the NPFL, including failing to ensure the proper conduct of their players, officials, and supporters, disrupting a live broadcast, throwing objects onto the field of play, encroaching onto the field, and refusing to continue with the match in protest against a penalty awarded to their opponents.
The fine breaks down into N1 million for failing to ensure proper conduct, N5 million for disrupting a live broadcast, N1 million for throwing objects onto the field, N1 million for encroachment, and N2 million for causing the disruption and discontinuation of the match. The club has been ordered to identify and produce for further investigation and appropriate sanctions other players and officials complicit in the disruptive conduct.
Enyimba International FC has 48 hours to either submit to the summary jurisdiction and sanctions or elect to be dealt with by a disciplinary panel. If they submit, the fines must be paid within 7 working days. Failure to comply may result in additional sanctions.
This development comes as a consequence of the chaotic scenes that unfolded during the Match Day 35 fixture between Enyimba and Rangers International FC, which was aired live on television. The disruption and discontinuation of the match have been widely condemned, and the NPFL has taken swift action to address the incident and uphold the principles of fair play, sportsmanship, and the rules of the game.