NPFL Awards Three Points To Rangers, Fines Enyimba, Places Players Under Investigation

The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, board has awarded three points and three goals to Rangers International over alleged misconduct by players of the defending champions, Eyimba International, during Saturday’s match.

Blaze Newz gathered that Enyimba players left the field while the match was still on after a penal was awarded to Rangers International during the eighth minutes extra time while the score was still 0-0.

NPFL, which frowned to the conduct of Enyimba players said “Enyimba failed to ensure proper conduct of their players, officials and supporters & also disrupted the live broadcast of the match at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

“The People’s Elephant are also charged for throwing of objects & encroachment unto the field of play by their supporters.

“Enyimba further breached the rules by refusing to continue the game after a penalty was awarded to Rangers, an act that is against the principles of fair play & sportsmanship & capable of bringing the game to disrepute.

“For refusing to allow the penalty awarded to Rangers be taken & disrupting the match, thereby bringing the game to disrepute, Enyimba shall forfeit 3 points & 3 goals which is now awarded to their opponents.

“For disrupting the live broadcast of the match, Enyimba have been fined N5m.

‘Enyimba will pay a fine of N1m each for failing to ensure proper conduct of their contingent, throwing of objects & encroachment unto the field of play, totalling N3m.

“The champions have been further fined N2m for causing the disruption & discontinuation of the match.”

Enyimba three players listed by the NPFL for investigation of misconduct are ;Eze Ekwutoziam, Chibuike Nwaiwu & Elijah Akanni.

It further said that all Enyimba players, will face further inquest for their roles in the disruption of the match. The Aba club have been mandated to identify & produce other players & officials involved in the incident.

NPFL, however, charged Rangers for breaching NPFL24 Framework & Rules in the course of their match against Enyimba.

“Rangers are in breach for over-ticketing that led to overcrowding at their Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium home ground. The league leaders also failed to provide adequate & effective security.

“The Enugu club further failed to ensure effective crowd control measures & also failed to prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to restricted areas.

“For over-ticketing, Rangers are fined N2m & are further fined another N1m for failing to provide adequate security.

“Rangers will pay a fine of N1m each for failing to put in effect proper crowd control measures & prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to restricted areas.

NPFL ordered Rangers to ensure that they put in place effective crowd control measures in their subsequent home matches.

It, therefore, gave Enyimba and Rangers 48 hours from the date of notice to appeal the sanctions.