The League Management Company (LMC),organizers of Nigeria’s Globacom premier league has warned players, club managers and match officials (referees) against perpetrating any form of misdemeanor during matches.
LMC read the riots act following the sanctioning of two players of Sunshine Stars who stripped themselves to celebrate their winning goal against Dolphins FC on Match Day 4 in Akure and a host of others whose actions were considered a breach of the league’s code of conduct rules.
Prince Aggrey and Ebenezer Odunlami were on Monday, April 20 banned for one league game each and fined N50, 000 for indecent exposure and behaviour capable of bringing the league to disrepute for stripping to their inner pants while celebrating Sunshine Star’s second and winning goal against Dolphins.
Although the erring players have written an apology letter to the league body and other stakeholders “to accept full responsibility for their bad behavior”, LMC insists they must serve the one match ban and pay the N50, 000 to serve as a deterrent to others.
In a statement signed by Salihu Abubakar, the LMC Chief Operating Officer, the league organizers “further advised all Club Management to discharge their technical responsibilities to players and other personnel by providing continuous enlightenment on codes of conduct and other rules of the game”.
Also caught in the web of the league management hammer were the match officials who handled the Match Day 4 encounter between Sunshine Stars and Dolphins in Akure.
The center Referee for the fixture, Mr. John Charles from Enugu and his Assistant Referee II Mr. Matador Ogunta from Abia have been suspended from further officiating in matches of the Glo Premier League for the rest of the season following their performance in the game “considered below the standard required for top flight football and capable of bringing the league to disrepute”.
“We made the recommendations to the Referees Committee as a deliberate step to ensure that officiating in the league is fair and consistent with global refereeing standard,” Mr. Salihu Abubakar stated.
Dolphins F.C. coach Stanley Eguma was also fined N100, 000 by the LMC for his post-match comments which the LMC considered capable of bringing the league into disrepute and disparage the brand. “The LMC advised Coach Eguma and indeed all stakeholders to utilize proper channels to ventilate their complaints and grievances and avoid making public comments capable of bringing down the league,” the statement read.
By Olisemeka Obeche
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