LMC wields the axe again this time for unacceptable fan's unruly conduct on 4 NPFL clubs

Heartland, Nasarawa United,   Giwa and Abia Warriors are this time those who go under the axe as they have been fined various sums of money after unruly conduct by their fans during matchday 32 matches.

According to the League Management Company (LMC), the clubs have been charged for various breaches bordering on their failure to provide adequate security and unacceptable supporters’ behaviour even as match officials involved in three of the 10 games of Match Day 32 also received queries.
The chairman of Heartland FC supporters club, Iyke Jacob, was handed a six-match ban for acts of intimidation and harassment of referees.
Nasarawa United, Giwa FC, Abia Warriors and Heartland FC were fined minimum of N500,000 as the LMC exercised summary jurisdiction after thorough investigation of reported crowd incidences during the matches involving the four sides.
Abubakar said: “The sanctions are a demonstration of the LMC’s strong objection to failure on the part of clubs to provide hitch-free match day experiences for the thousands of fans who have since the implementation of various reform initiatives been returning to the stadiums for NPFL games”. On the referees, I. Indabawa from Kano and his two assistants from Kwara State, M. Surakat and S. O Toyin were recommended for investigation by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Referees Appointment Committee for below par performance in the Abia Warriors vs Rangers fixture.
Also recommended for investigation was assistant referee A. Bulus from Abuja for deficiencies in the handling of the Heartland FC vs Enyimba match, while the center referee B. Odey from Abuja was reprimanded and advised to improve performance and control of match proceedings.
James Amadin from Edo State also received a reprimand and caution to improve match management.
The referees recommended for investigation were also requested to be withdrawn from further handling of matches in the NPFL until after the conclusion of investigation.
The LMC said it has increased match monitoring to ensure that clubs maintained the decorum that has prevailed all through the season and cautioned that “we cannot allow some fans still steeped in the old order to bring to disrepute the integrity, pleasant match day experiences and increased positive public perception of the league”.