The Appeals Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is expected to meet on Friday, June 24th, to rule on the Matchday 36 fixture between Rangers International of Enugu and Enyimba FC of Aba.
According to information, the People’s Elephants had appealed the ruling of the NPFL, which awarded three goals and three points to the Flying Antelopes after the the Aba based side refused to continue with the game played penultimate Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
However, if feelers from the committee are anything to go by, Enyimba might be heading for trouble as the committee will have to base it’s ruling on the NPFL frame work regarding match abandonment
The NPFL framework 13:26 states that “Any club that refuses to continue with a game for a period up to five (5) minutes in a match or till the expiration of full time of either half of the game or walks off the pitch in any form of protest against a decision of the referee or otherwise, shall be liable to a fine of up 3,000,000:00 (Three million naira only) payable before the club’s next match. In addition *3 points shall be deducted from the accruable points of the Club and also 3 points 3 goals shall be credited to the opponent depending on the severity of the incidence*.
With the above , it definitely bounds on the committee to follow the rules to the letter which means, the deduction of 3 points from Enyimba’s points, after the club had initially lost 3 points and 3 goals to Rangers in addition to the imposition of fine on the club.
Football followers are keen to see whether the committee will uphold its integrity by doing the right thing or bend the rules to favour the Almighty People’s Elephants.
There are no two ways to it that Enyimba abandoned the game in protest of a penalty awarded against them by the referee, thus running foul of the NPFL framework, and therefore deserves to be penalised accordingly.
It will be noted that Kano Pillars had similar issue few seasons ago and were rightly dealt with, leading to their demotion to the lower league before they returned to the topflight the following season.
Another test of integrity for the NFF Appeals Committee.
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