The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has confirmed the relegation of Kano Pillars from the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL.
Pillars, who will now join already relegated MFM and Heartland in the NNL, saw their appeal to the NFF Appeals Committee dismissed and the decision of the O & D to deduct three points from them upheld.
In a statement made on the NFF website, the committee dismissed the appeal by Kano Pillars and upheld their relegation.
“The committee agrees that the memory card was removed and the pouch of the microphone was destroyed, as such, this constitutes property damage, therefore, the appeal fails.”
“The decision of the disciplinary committee is hereby upheld.”
How Kano Pillars got into trouble
Trouble began for Sai Masu Gida when they got docked three points for the violence that erupted during their game against Katsina United in Kano and got another suspended three-point deduction.
As part of their punishments for the act, their stadium got a season-long ban from the LMC and that led to the home team playing their games behind closed doors.
The four-time NPFL champions, in a MD 31 game between Pillars and Dakkada at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, had their chairman assault the assistant referee and the media equipment of the visiting team was damaged.
LMC initially treated the case in isolation but Dakkada proceeded to the O & D to seek redress and Pillars' three-point suspended deduction was activated.
Not satisfied by the verdict, Pillars also decided to appeal the decision of the NFF Disciplinary Committee at the Appeals Committee.
The NFF Appeals committee has now come out with their verdict by dismissing Pillars' appeal and upholding the initial decision of the O & D.
With the development, Pillars will be relegated as they have dropped to 19th on the log on 42 points, five points from safety with a game to the end of the season.
What are the options available to Kano Pillars
As it stands, the Kano side can decide to head to the Netherlands and seek judgement at the Court for Arbitration of Sports (CAS).
However, this might cost them money to present their case and how will they do that without implicating the former Chairman who assaulted a match official.
Meanwhile, according to reports in the Nigerian media space, Kano Pillars have been speaking to newly promoted Doma United in order to purchase their NPFL slot ahead of next season.
If none of this fails to materialize, Pillars will not be in the NPFL for the first time in 22 years.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
