LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Enyimba Football Club has been sanctioned by the board of the Nigeria Premier Football League for refusing to conclude the match against Enugu Rangers on Sunday, June 9.
The NPFL matchday 35 fixture was abandoned after Rangers were awarded a controversial penalty following a foul seven minutes into added time at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium in Enugu.
The decision prompted players of Enyimba to stage a walk-out of the pitch.
However, the incident took another dimension when fans invaded the pitch, resulting in Enyimba players walking off it.
It remains unclear which fans encroached on the pitch, but efforts to resume play proved abortive.
In a letter addressed to Enyimba on Monday, NPFL said the club’s action goes against the principles of fair play, sportsmanship, and the league rules and is capable of bringing the game to disrepute.
READ ALSO: Enyimba Face Point Deduction Over Breach Of Match Protocol
The team was also penalised N10 million for failing to ensure the proper conduct of its players, disrupting the NPFL live broadcast, and causing the disruption and discontinuation of the match.
Three Enyimba players, Eze Ekwutoziam, Chibuike Nwaiwu and Akanni Elijah, are under investigation for further sanctions.
“An order forfeiting 3 points and three goals in favour of your opponent refusing to allow the penalty awarded in favour of your opponents to be taken, thereby disrupting the match and bringing the game to disrepute,” the letter reads.
“An order for Enyimba to identify and produce for further investigation and appropriate sanctions, other players and officials complicit in the disruptive conducts (particularly against the match officials) that led to a discontinuation of the game, in addition to the following identified players; Eze Ekwutoziam (Jersey No.6), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Jersey No.27), and Akanni Elijah (Jersey No.10).”
Enugu Rangers was also fined ₦5m over poor arrangement for the match, especially for over-ticketing, breach of stadium security and poor crowd control.
With three points and three goals awarded to Enugu Rangers, the Flying Antelopes are now on 65 points and are now six points clear of second-placed Enyimba and third-placed Remo Stars.