TheCable

The board of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has handed Mohammed Baba Ganaru, Gombe United’s head coach, a three-game suspension for “inciting harassment” against match officials during his club’s game against Rivers United on Sunday.

In a thread of tweets on Monday evening, the league body said the head coach “incited the assault and harassment of match officials” after the game ended 1-1.

NPFL also docked three points and goals from Gombe United’s accumulated haul over “failure to ensure adequate security led to disruption after the match, supporters throwing objects onto the pitch and assaulting of match officials after the game”.

Gombe was fined N3 million for bringing the game to disrepute. The club must also pay N500,000 to compensate Sa’id Abdul’Aziz, the centre referee, and Cletus Adewebi, the assistant referee.

Similarly, Kano Pillars was issued a N10 million fine for delaying the smooth transmission of a live broadcast ahead of their game against Plateau United.

The league body also penalised the club with an additional N2 million fine for “repeated offence of throwing objects onto the pitch” and “misconduct capable of bringing the game to disrepute.”

Pillars must also pay N250,000 as compensation to Sodiq Adejumo, an assistant referee, who sustained injury during the skirmish.

Abdullateef Ishola, Sunshine Stars goalkeeper, was also handed a three-game suspension for reacting violently to a ball boy during his team’s 2-0 loss to Remo Stars.

Remo Stars were also fined N1 million for failing to provide adequate and effective security during the matchday 17 encounter at their home stadium in Ikenne, Ogun state.