NFF Disciplinary Committee reduces Enyimba fines, upholds result in favour of Rangers, Warinje FC

NFF Disciplinary Committee reduces Enyimba fines, upholds result in favour of Rangers, Warinje FC

The Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reduced the fines imposed on Enyimba of Aba in the aborted match against Rangers on June 9 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
While the Committee upholds the fine of N1 million against Enyimba FC for failure to ensure the proper conduct of their players, officials and supporters, it disagrees with the decision that the live broadcast transmission was disrupted by Enyimba FC for want of evidence and therefore set aside the N5 million fine imposed on the Aba team.

The Committee also disagrees with the decision that the supporters of Enyimba FC threw objects into the field of play for lack of evidence and as such struck out the N1 million fine.

However, the Committee agrees that Enyimba refused to continue with the match in protest against the award of the penalty and upheld the 3 points and 3 points.

In the same vein, the Committee upholds the fine of N1 million imposed on Enyimba for encroachment unto the field of play in accordance with Art.13.19 NPFL Framework and Rules.

Similarly, the Committee agrees with the fine of N2 million imposed on Enyimba FC for the disruption and discontinuation of the match in accordance with Article 13.24 of NPFL Framework and Rules.

In the other case brought by Warinje FC against the Nationwide League One (NLO) in their disputed match against Police Barreta in Lafia on May 28, 2024, the committee disagrees with NLO on its finding on the eligibility of player, Gwaisam Kemin Joseph, stating that he was duly registered and cleared by NLO to play for Warinje FC through a valid Player’s License with number 10351 dated May 14, 2024 as certified by NLO official before the Committee.

The Committee also disagrees with NLO on its decision on double registration by Gwaisam Kemin Joseph, stressing that he was not guilty of double registration rather a victim of complacency on the part of the NLO.

Therefore, the one year ban imposed by the NLO on the player is hereby set aside just as the 3 points and 3 goals deducted from Warinje FC is hereby restored.

The N100,000 fine imposed on Warinje FC was also quashed and implored the NLO to always ensure due diligence in matters affecting players’ registration as the body is advised to have a centralised Database for accurate checks and balances during players’ registration.