NFF sanctions Kano Pillars, ratifies LMC’s league points deduction
By Oviri Kelvin, Sports Editor, Abuja
- Suspends match officials for a year
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned Kano Pillars and ratified the three points deduction from its accrued league points following their unruly behaviour in matchday 31 fixture against Dakkada FC on June 25, 2022.
The Disciplinary Committee on Friday, July 8, 2022, in a meeting held at the Parkview Hotel, Abuja, noted that the actions of Kano Pillars are capable of bringing the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to disrepute.
According to them, Kano Pillars on that fateful day failed to control its officials and this resulted in the attack on Daramola Olalekan, Assistant Referee 1 by the club’s former chairman, Suraj Yahaya.
Recalled that last three months ago, precisely on April 17, 2022, Kano Pillar were involved in fisticuffs with Katsina United which instigated the League Management Company (LMC) to ‘impose a sanction of forfeiture of three points accruing to the club in the event of a similar breach’.
Following the occurrence of a similar incident against Dakkada FC, the NFF did not hesitate to ratify the LMC’s sanction which will result in the Kano State-based club dropping down on the Nigeria topflight division’s table. Furthermore, the Disciplinary Committee also sanctioned the Match Commissioner, Centre Referee and Assistant Referee 1 for rescinding their decision after first affirming the goal scored by the visitors.
NFF noted that whatsoever, the match officials had no right even under duress to cancel a goal that has already been awarded in favour of the visiting team, adding that they have no basis to justify their actions. The statement by the Disciplinary Committee read in part:
“The NFF Disciplinary Committee adopts the summary jurisdiction of the League Management Company dated 25th June, 2022 with respect to Match Day 31 Fixture involving Kano Pillars FC Vs. Dakkada Int’l FC, particularly paragraphs a – g of their decision.
“That the Match Officials, particularly the Match Commissioner, Centre Referee and the Assistant Referee 1 are hereby suspended for One (1) year from all football-related activities with immediate effect, the Match Commissioners and Referee Appointment Committees are by this decision put on notice.
“That despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the goal scored by Dakkada Int’l FC at the 92nd minute the committee lacks the power to reinstate or award a goal. “The Committee awards the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N150,000.00) only as compensation for their damaged camera (Sony HD Full HD 1920×1080).
“The Committee having found that Kano Pillars FC officials destroyed a camera (Sony HD Full HD 1920×1080) belonging to Dakkada Int’l FC and lost valuables belonging to Uchenna Iyioke hereby activates the three (3) points suspended sentence contained in the summary jurisdiction of the League Management Company between Kano Pillars FC and Katsina United FC in matchday 23 fixtures dated the 17th day of April, 2022.
Particularly paragraph 5(k) to wit: “In the event of any further similar breach of the League Rules, Kano Pillars FC shall forfeit three (3) points from the points accruing to the club in addition to any other sanctions that may be deemed appropriate,” the NFF said.
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Meanwhile, Mr Jamilu Uba Adamu has criticised the Disciplinary Committee’s decision to deduct three points from the accrued points by Kano Pillars lamenting that the criteria for the action are faulty. According to Adamu, the destruction of Dakkada FC camera was never a subject of the appeal which the committee used as a basis for its decision.
He explained that the decision is biased and unacceptable, stressing that it negates the principle of fairness and equity. “The decision was clearly biased and it’s unacceptable. I expected Kano Pillars’ Management to appeal this biased decision of the Disciplinary Committee,” Adamu said. “There is a need for fairness and equity for all clubs, especially when it comes to applying disciplinary actions.
“It is totally wrong and unfair that some “Clubs” will receive lesser disciplinary sanctions for the same or worse offence but whenever it comes to Kano Pillars Football Club, it will be harsh, just because some forces at the top of football administration in Nigeria have strong hatred and jealousy against the club and can’t see the reason to temper justice with mercy, and above all, be fair,” Adamu lambasted.
Other members of the NFF Disciplinary Committee are Chike Onyeacho, Esq. (Member), Adamu Sani Osmond, Esq. (Member) and Queen W. Otarakpo, Esq. (Secretary).
