NWFL sanction Naija Ratels, Bayelsa Queens’ chairmen

Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) have sanctioned the chairmen of Ratels Football club, Abuja and Bayelsa Queens over disciplinary conduct.

NWFL in a letter addressed to the Chairman of Naija Ratels, Barrister Edeh, stated that the club in one of their matches in the NWFL Premier League Super Six tourney at Benin City, refused to wear Tulcan Energy sponsored jersey which contravened the NWFL Statutes on Sponsorship, in Articles 7.8, 7.9, 7.10.

According to the letter signed by Chief Operating Officer of the NWFL, Modupe Shabi, the board said, “We kindly refer you to the Match No. 2 between Nasarawa Amazons FC and Naija Ratels FC, scheduled for the 16th May, 2022 in Benin City, Edo State.

“You will recall that your club failed to wear the Tulcan Energy branded jerseys even though the other participating teams agreed to wear the sponsor’s jersey. “This single action by Naija Ratels FC almost brought the game to disrepute and the credibility of the league into question,” the NWFL stated.

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However, the female league governing board decided that following the breach of NWFL Statutes on Sponsorship, in Articles 7.8, 7.9, 7.10 by Naija Ratels, invoked Article 23.2.2 which says: “Any club owner/ official that brings the game into disrepute or ridicule the NWFL in public through utterances, misconduct, communication or any form of communication will be sanctioned with the payment of the sum of (N2,000,000) Two million naira, and three months suspension.”

In a related development, the champions of the Super Six tournament, Bayelsa Queen were also charged for unguided utterances capable of tarnishing the image of the NWFL. In a letter addressed to the chairman of Bayelsa Queens, Mr Robin Aprela, the NWFL stated that Aprela had accused the chairperson Aisha Falode of being biased while trying to favour a team ahead of others.

The letter reads: ”We refer you to the incident before the kick-off of the Super Six, ahead of the match between Bayelsa Queens and Rivers Angels held in Benin City, where you made some disparaging comments about the Nigeria Women Football League and also accused the Chairperson ( Madam Aisha Falode) of manipulating to favour certain club.

“The action of the Bayelsa Queens FC Chairman almost brought the game to disrepute and credibility of the league to question, which contravened the following Articles 23.1 which states that ‘Players, club officials and every person involved in the league shall at all times act in the best interest of the game and comply with the principles of fair play, sportsmanship, the rules and regulations governing the league and not act (whether through words, conducts or behaviour) in a manner capable of bringing the game into disrepute; failure of which constitutes misconduct and a breach of the league rules.

“Article 23.2.2 reads: Any club owner/official that brings the game into disrepute or ridicules the NWFL in public through utterances, misconduct, communication or any form of communication will be sanctioned with the sum of (N2,000,000) Two million naira, and three months suspension.

“Consequently, your club (Bayelsa Queens) has been fined the sum of (N2,000,000) Two million naira only for bringing the game to disrepute and ridiculing the NWFL in public. We believe this fine will serve as a deterrent and strong warning to Bayelsa Queens FC,” the letter stated. NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, however, waived off the 3 months suspension served on both chairmen after they tendered an unreserved apology for their misconduct.