Gombe United will be deducted three points, three goals, and fined three million naira following a disturbing and eventful assault on the visiting team and match officials during the matchday 26 fixture against Akwa United.
This follows an initial sanction of three points and three goals imposed on the club for misconduct earlier in the season, highlighting the Nigeria Premier Football League’s (NPFL) stance on its zero tolerance for assault on match officials.
Davidson Owumi, the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, who signed the notice, warned other clubs to ensure the safety of match officials assigned to their games or face serious consequences.
Officials in the Matchday 26 fixture against visiting Akwa United were found to have been physically attacked by fans at the end of the match at the Pantanmi Stadium on Sunday, March 17.
Gombe United players
The NPFL, in a Summary Jurisdiction Notice issued to Gombe United, said its findings included that Bright Nwosu, the Center Referee, Abdullahi Indabawa, the AR1, Friday Abu Emeje AR2, and Musa Hussainy Talle, the 4th Official, were assaulted by the club fans.
Gombe United was charged with breaching Rules B13.52, B13.18 and C1.1 of the NPFL Frameworks and Rules, which arose from failure to provide adequate and effective security leading to access by unauthorised persons to restricted areas, throwing of objects by their supporters to match officials and the visiting team and assault on match officials at the end of the game.
In addition to the points deduction, the NPFL also imposed a total fine of N3 million on the club, made up of N1 million each for failure to provide adequate and effective security, for throwing objects into the field of play and compensatory payments to the four officials at N250,000 each.
The NPFL also issued an order closing the Pantami Stadium to fans of Gombe United for the next three (3) home games.
Gombe United has 48 hours from receipt of the sanctions to accept in writing to submit to the rulings or elect to face a disciplinary panel in accordance with Rule C26.
