Struggling Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Gombe United, have come under the knife by the management body of the country's domestic top-flight after their recent assault on matchday officials.
The Savannah Tigers have been handed a three-point and three-goal deduction from its total accumulated for the season in a move the league board says is in accordance with its zero tolerance for assault on matchday officials.
Davidson Owumi, the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, who signed the notice warned other clubs to ensure the safety of match officials assigned to their games or face serious consequences.
Gombe United fans assault on match officials is a ‘breach of Rules'.
Gombe United squared off against Akwa United in round 26 of the 2023/24 NPFL season.
Both teams are battling for survival in the league as they've gone through months of unwanted results this campaign that has kept them rooted in the bottom places on the league table.
The clash at home presented Gombe United a chance to grab all three points with a win, however, the Savannah Tigers only managed to obtain a point as the visitors held them to a 1-1 draw, a result which angered the club's fans.
The disappointed fans poured their frustrations on the officials who reported their ordeal in their matchday report.
After investigations by the league body, the officials were found to have been physically attacked by fans at the end of the match at the Pantami Stadium on Sunday, March 17.
BREAKING ❗️ ❗️
Gombe United docked 3 points and goals for assault on Match Officials
The Savannah Scorpions have also been fined N3m, and they have received a 3-match stadium closure to Fans.
They have 48 hours to appeal the ruling.#NPFL24 pic.twitter.com/kraWpiW9Q4
— NPFL News 🇳🇬 (@NPFL_News) March 21, 2024
The NPFL in a Summary Jurisdiction notice issued Gombe United said its findings included that Bright Nwosu, the Center Referee, Abdullahi Indabawa, the AR1, Friday Abu Emeje AR2, and Musa Hussainy Talle, the 4th Official were assaulted by the club fans.
Gombe United was charged with breach of Rules B13.52, B13.18 and C1.1 of the NPFL Frameworks and Rules which arose from failure to provide adequate and effective security leading to access to unauthorized persons to restricted areas, throwing of objects by their supporters to match officials and the visiting team and assault on match officials at the end of the game.
In addition to the points deduction, the NPFL also imposed a total fine of N3million on the club made up of N1million each for failure to provide adequate and effective security, for throwing objects onto the field of play and compensatory payments to the four match officials at N250,000 each.
Gombe United slashed with other fines
The NPFL management board also issued an order closing the Pantami Stadium to fans of Gombe United for the next three (3) home games.
The club now has 48 hours from the date of receipt of the sanctions to accept in writing to submit to the rulings or elect to face a disciplinary panel in accordance with Rule C26.
This is not the first time this season that Gombe United faces points deduction due to similar offense.
During gameweek 17, the Savannah Tigers were slapped a three-point and a N2.5million fine by the league board following unsportsmanlike behaviour in their clash against Rivers United at home.
The team were held to a 1-1 draw by the Pride of Rivers which caused disruptions by their unruly fans who assaulted the match officials after the game.
The head coach at the time, Mohammed Babaganaru, was also punished with a three-match suspension in the role he played that day.
The Savannah Tigers currently sit 19th on the NPFL table after 26 matches. They've obtained just 26 points from seven wins and five draws, whilst losing 14 matches.
This article was most recently revised and updated 12 months ago
