LMC slams N2.35m fines on Ikhana, four clubs
The League Management Company (LMC) yesterday slammed Coach Kadiri Ikhana and four premier league clubs with various fines amounting to N2.35million.
The clubs were charged by the LMC for various breaches bothering on failure to provide adequate security and unacceptable supporters’ behaviour, while match officials involved in three of the ten games of Week 32 also received queries.
The Chairman of Heartland FC Supporters Club, Iyke Jacob was handed a six match ban for acts of intimidation and harassment of referees, while Enyimba’s Coach, Khadiri Ikhana was also charged for making public comments deemed inimical to the promotion of the league and was fined N100, 000.
Nasarawa United, Giwa FC, Abia Warriors and Heartland FC were fined as the LMC exercised Summary Jurisdiction after thorough investigation of reported crowd incidences during the matches involving them.
In the various notices of Summary Jurisdiction signed by the LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar and sent to the clubs, they were issued the statutory 48 hours’ notice to submit to the decisions of the LMC or indicate in written response a choice to appear before a panel.
In specific rulings concerning the affected clubs, Giwa FC as hosts of the fixture against Kano Pillars were accused for breach of Article C1 and B15.16 and consequently fined N500, 000 and N250, 000.
Nasarawa United was also cited for unruly conduct of their fans in the match against Lobi Stars, fined N500, 000 and warned against a repeat which will lead to stadium ban to supporters and relocation to neutral venue.
Like Nasarawa United, Abia Warriors and Heartland were also fined N500, 000 for unruly behaviour of fans and failure to provide hitch free match day experience.
“The sanctions are a demonstration of the LMC’s strong objection to failure on the part of clubs to provide hitch-free match day experiences for the thousands of fans who have since the implementation of various reform initiatives been returning to the stadiums for NPFL games,” Abubakar said.