NLO Suspends Green Beret FC Officials, Imposes ₦1.5m Fine Over Referee Attack

The Nationwide League One has sanctioned Green Beret FC following an attack on match officials after the club’s fixture against Zamfara United.

In a statement issued on Friday, the NLO Secretariat announced a total fine of ₦1.5 million and a two-season suspension for the club’s officials after the violent incident, which reportedly left a referee injured and bleeding.

The league body strongly condemned the attack, describing it as unacceptable and harmful to the image and integrity of football.

“This violence is completely unacceptable and damages the reputation of the game,” the NLO stated, emphasizing that such actions carry serious consequences and reflect poorly on the club involved.

According to the Secretariat, the incident was not an isolated case, noting that Green Beret FC had previously been linked to a similar act of violence during the previous season. The league stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of players, match officials, and supporters at all levels of the game.

As part of the disciplinary measures, the NLO overturned the original result of the match and awarded Zamfara United a 3-0 victory in place of the 2-0 scoreline recorded on the field.

The sanctions also include a ₦1 million fine for violent conduct and an additional ₦500,000 to cover the medical expenses of the injured referees. The club has been directed to settle both payments within seven days.

Furthermore, Green Beret FC and all its officials have been suspended from participating in Nationwide League One activities for the next two seasons.

The club has also been ordered to identify and submit the names of the individual or individuals allegedly involved in stabbing the referee within 48 hours.

The NLO reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining discipline, protecting match officials and preserving the integrity of the competition, warning that any acts of violence will continue to attract severe sanctions.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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