Despite several fines and bans by the League Management Company on Nigeria Professional Football League clubs in Nigeria, violence continues to rock various match venues across the country, The PUNCH reports.
On match-day 19 of the 2021/22 NPFL season, fans of Wikki Tourists attacked players and officials of visiting Enyimba in Bauchi, inflicting varying degrees of injuries on their captain Austin Oladapo, Cyril Olisema and some officials after the tie ended 0-0.
This season, no fewer than four clubs have been sanctioned by the LMC over the violent conduct of their fans.
In February, Lobi Stars and Gombe United were forced to play one of their home fixtures without fans following separate incidents on match-day 14.
Gombe, in addition to playing their home game without fans, were also fined N2m for failure to provide adequate security cover for the visiting team.
For Lobi, in addition to the closure of their Aper Aku Stadium to fans, they were fined ₦1.5m.
Abia Warriors and their General Coordinator, John Kalu, were sanctioned for security-related breaches in their match against Rivers United.
Kalu was found to have championed the harassment of match officials and was ordered not to be part of NPFL activities for the next eight match days.
The club was fined N2.5m.
Salihu Abubakar, the Chief Operating Officer of the LMC, who signed the letters conveying the sanctions said measures aimed at sanitising the league would continue to be exercised for the good of the game, the clubs and the fans.
Despite these sanctions, there seems no end to violence in the league.
Speaking with The PUNCH, Secretary, NPFL Club Owners Association of Nigeria, Alloy Chukwuemeka, said constant engagement of fans by their respective clubs could help curb the menace.
“We are hopeful that with constant engagement, orientation and fans education, the issues of isolated cases of fans violence will reduce and even be eliminated,” he told The PUNCH.
“The LMC sanctions on erring clubs will continue in line with the provisions of the NPFL rule book and extant laws until fans unrest are completely eradicated.
“However I strongly believe that several measures will be adopted via constant review of the NPFL framework until the fans restiveness is eliminated and totally eradicated.”
Former 3SC General Manager, Mutiu Adepoju, also urged clubs to sensitise their fans and provide more security personnel at match venues.
“I think the LMC sanctions have to continue since it’s getting more difficult to control crowds at the stadium,” Adepoju told The PUNCH.
“But I will suggest that the management of each club should try to sensitise their fans and look for a way to get rid of the ones that will get them in trouble.”.
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