NPFL fine land on Ikorodu City as league issues stern warning to Gbenga Ogunbote

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has fined Lagos-based side Ikorodu City FC and ordered a two-match closure of their stadium to fans.

This recent development is coming following rowdy scenes occasioned by pitch encroachment leading to a physical assault on Remo Stars Coach Sulaimon Kamil,

Separately, the league body also issued a stern warning to all the NPFL club officials and their Coaches to refrain from using unsavory expressions about the league while granting media interviews.

Shooting Stars Coach, Gbenga Ogunbote was issued a specific reprimand for his outbursts after one of the club’s games against Ikorodu City FC in Lagos on Matchday 12.

The NPFL noted that during an inquest, Ogunbote expressed regrets and apologized for his outburst and was directed to issue a public apology.

Ikorodu City was charged with a breach of Rules B13.52, B13.18, and C9.

In a summary jurisdiction notice, the NPFL charged Ikorodu City for failure to provide adequate security which resulted in unauthorized persons gaining access to restricted areas and assaulting Remo Stars Coach Kamil in breach of Rule B13.52 of the Frameworks and Rules.

Ikorodu City was also charged for failure to ensure proper conduct of their team and supporters in breach of Rule C9.

The club was fined a total of N3,000,000, ordered to identify and prosecute the fan who assaulted Coach Kamil and play the next two consecutive home games without admitting fans to the stands.

The sanction read, “an order to identify and prosecute the individual(s) involved in the assault on Remo Stars Coach, Mr. Sulaimon Kamil. A report detailing the progress of this action must be submitted to the NPFL within seven (7) working days of the date of this notice”.

“In accordance with Rule C26, you are required, within 48 hours of the date of this notice, to either submit to the summary jurisdiction and the sanctions contained herein; or elect to be dealt with by a disciplinary panel”, the NPFL ruled.

The South West derby between Ikorodu City FC and Remo Stars ended in a 1-1 draw in Lagos on Sunday.