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NWFL sanction Royal Queens, suspends General Manager
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) has handed a one million Naira fine on the Premiership side, Royal Queens for the abandonment of Wednesday’s encounter with Naija Ratels FC in Abuja.
Anny Essie gave Royal Queens an early lead before Emmanuel Blessing equalised for Naija Ratels in the 55th minute but Ovie Joseph’s side abandoned the game after the centre referee awarded a penalty to the hosts in the second half.
“The Nigeria Women’s Football League is in receipt of match official reports for Match No. 57 between Naija Ratels FC and Royal Queens FC on played on 22nd March, 2023 at Old Parade Ground Pitch, Abuja,” NWFL wrote via its verified Twitter handle on Thursday.
“It was contained in the reports that Royal Queens FC failed to continue with the aforementioned match after the centre referee awarded a penalty kick against Royal Queens FC in the 78th minute of play.
“This action from Royal Queens contravened the following article: Article 14.8 states that any club that refuses to continue with a game for a period up to five (5) minutes in a match or till the expiration of full time of either half of the game or walks off the pitch in any form of protest against a decision of the referee or otherwise shall be liable to a fine of up to N1, 000, 000 (One Million Naira only).”
Following the inactions of the Warri based outfit, three points and three goals were awarded to Naija Ratels FC, and Royal Queens General Manager, Atare Azugbo was suspended from NWFL activities.
“In addition, the club shall forfeit the match to it’s opponent by 3 points, 3 goals. Consequently, Royal Queens have been fined the sum of One Million Naira (1, 000, 000) for abandoning the above named match at the 78th minute of play and for bring the game to disrupt,” the statement continued.
“Also, the general manager of Royal Queens, Mr Atare Azigbo has been suspended with immediate effect from all NWFL activities till the end of the season for unruly behaviour.”
With the NWFL verdict, Naija Ratels moved to the third position in Group A with 13 points, the same points as Rivers Angels.
Royal Queens maintained its sixth position with eight points, two points ahead of bottom-placed Osun Babes.
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