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IMC fines El-Kanemi Warriors, rejects fixtures adjustment request, gives 3SC deadline
By Wale Mustapha
The Interim Management Committee, IMC of the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL on Wednesday reeled out series of disciplinary sanctions that saw ElKanemi Warriors as one of the clubs heavily affected, having previously been under investigation.
Among strings of taken decisions, the Maiduguri based club were fined by the the league body and asked to play their remaining fixtures of the first half of the season behind closed doors.
The IMC found the host team (ElKanemi Warriors) to have breached Rule B13.52 for failing to provide adequate and effective security for all persons involved in the match, which led to the destruction of the camera tripod of the away team and disagreements before the resumption of the second half.
ElKanemi Warriors have now been slammed with a fine of ₦500,000 for failure to provide adequate and effective security, ₦250,000 being compensatory payment to coach Monday Odigie of Bendel Insurance and an order to replace the damaged camera tripod of Bendel Insurance.
Meanwhile, head coach of Bayelsa United, Deprieye Tebowei, received a stern warning following his controversial comments on match officials and asked to be of good conduct.
“The respondent and officials of Bayelsa United are further advised to direct their grievances and complaints through the official channels in the future,” the IMC further advised.
Meanwhile, Lobi Stars, Enyimba and Abia Warriors had their requests for fixtures adjustment turned down by the IMC.
Lobi wanted their Matchday 7 fixture against Dakkada in Jos rescheduled, while Abia Warriors also made a similar request for their game against Wikki Tourists. On the other hand, Enyimba were requesting a change in date for their Matchday 8 game against Shooting Stars in Aba.
Consequently, Abia Warriors have been directed to host Wikki Tourists at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba on the same date, just as Lobi were advised to make adequate arrangements to play their Matchday 7 game on the previously scheduled date which is February 11.
In a separate development, the home ground of Abia Warriors, the Umuahia Township Stadium, has been given provisional clearance until the end of the first stanza. Subsequently, the ground would be evaluated to decide if it meets club Licensing Infrastructure requirement.
Meanwhile, the Lekan Salami Stadium, home of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), has been placed on provisional approval.
The IMC wrote #SC, saying, “The present condition of the playing turf at the Lekan Salami Stadium, is not television friendly and falls short of acceptable standards. You are therefore directed to take immediate steps to improve the condition of the playing pitch before the end of the first half of the season (Week 9)”.
The Ibadan based club was also warned that failure to comply would lead to its home games moved to an alternate ground before the start of the second stanza.
Elsewhere, Nasarawa United got approval to return to the New Jos Township Stadium for their remaining fixtures of the season with a warning that further requests for a venue change will not be entertained.
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