The League Management Company, (LMC) have sanctioned the MFM and Kwara United football clubs over several unprofessional conducts and breach of game rules in their matchday 26 fixture against Rangers of Enugu The Trumpet gathered.
MFM supporters had during the match, encroached into the field of play to attack the center referee.
Allegedly, that not being enough, the MFM team manager, Geoffrey Aghogi, visited the match officials in the hotel where they lodged to constitute a nuisance, reports say.
According to LMC, MFM failed to provide and ensure effective security during the game which resulted in the breakdown of law and order at the match venue.
LMC stressed that MFM conduct contravenes the rules as their supporters, players and officials behaved in a way capable of bringing the league to disrepute.
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The administrators of NPFL added that MFM failed to control their players and officials in ensuring they displayed proper conduct in the course of their match against Rangers.
Furthermore, LMC said that MFM team manager Geoffrey Aghogi breached the Fair Play rules by going to the hotel of the match officials to harass, threaten and intimidate them.
Following the series of infringements, MFM has been fined N1 million for failure to provide general security and also fined another N1 million for encroaching into the field of play.
A fine of N1 million has also been imposed on MFM for the unsporting behaviour of their players, officials, and fans.
Accordingly, MFM players, Jerry Isaac and Christian Molokwu have been handed a 12-match suspension for their involvement in the infraction in the first instance.
MFM team manager Geoffrey Aghogi was banned indefinitely from all NPFL-organised activities including matches.
The NPFL administrators ordered MFM to identify the persons involved in the assault of match officials and further show evidence of an arrest by the police and prosecution/arraignment in a competent court of jurisdiction.
LMC revealed that the assaulted center referee will get a compensation of N250,000 and any other additional verifiable medical costs.
Sequel to the above, the LMC stated that MFM will play their next three home matches at the Dina Dipo Stadium in Ijebu-Ode and will only return to their home ground after LMC must have received a satisfactory police report on the prosecution of the persons involved in the alleged assault.
A suspended two-point deduction has been imposed on MFM which will be for a probationary period for the remainder of the season.
LMC reiterated that MFM has 7 working days to pay all fines and also has 48 hours from the date of the notice to appeal the sanctions.
In a related development, LMC has charged Kwara United for breaching the NPFL Framework & Rules in their Matchday 26 fixture against Rivers United.
According to LMC, some supporters of Kwara Utd encroached into the technical area/field of play, causing disorder and bringing the league to disrepute in the course of the match.
Going by the unprofessional conduct, Kwara Utd has been fined N1 million for encroaching into the field of play and will play their next home match against 3SC without spectators.
Failure by Kwara United to uphold the tenets of fair play might lead to stiffer sanctions as prescribed under the league framework & rules.
The LMC stressed that Kwara United have 7 working days to pay all fines and elect to appeal the sanctions.
