NPFL: LMC fines Akwa United heavily for assault on match officials

THE League Management Company has come down hard on Akwa United for the unsporting conduct of the club’s officials.

The Nigeria Professional Football League organising body imposed a heavy fine on the Uyo club following what transpired during a match against Wikki Tourists. 

“Akwa United has been fined a total of N3 million for breach of the Framework and Rules of the NPFL, in the course of the Matchday 5 fixture against Wikki Tourists,” LMC said in an official statement on Tuesday.

“Some members of Akwa United contingent accosted and harassed match officials as they made their way to the changing room immediately after the match, in the process of which the Assistant Referee II sustained injuries to his head and face.

“The acts according to the charge amounted to a breach of Rule B8.21 (failure to ensure adequate security for match officials) and C1.1 (misconduct) of the Framework and Rules of the NPFL.”

The LMC listed the sanctions against Akwa United to include a fine of N1 million for failure to ensure adequate protection for match officials and a fine of N500,000 for harassment of match officials.

The LMC also imposed an additional fine of N1 million to be paid as compensation to the match officials as well as another N500,000 for misconduct capable of bringing the game to disrepute.

The body stated that the Uyo club has also been issued a censure with a warning that any repeated or similar breach will be dealt with as an aggravated breach and therefore attract even more severe sanctions, including but not limited to an order moving the club to a different venue for its home matches, deduction of points, etc.

Akwa United have 48 hours to either accept the sanctions or appeal against them.