The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has taken a strong stance against Enyimba FC and Kano Pillars for their recent actions involving derogatory comments about match officials. Enyimba FC was fined ₦1 million for their disparaging remarks following their match against Ikorodu City. The NPFL deemed these comments as capable of bringing the game into disrepute and warned Enyimba to refrain from posting inflammatory statements in the future. The club has the option to appeal the fine within 48 hours.
In a similar vein, Kano Pillars faced a ₦2 million fine for comments made by Ahmed Musa criticizing match officials after their game against Nasarawa United. Musa expressed his disappointment with the officiating and even questioned his decision to return to the NPFL. The NPFL also charged Kano Pillars for failing to control their player Ugochukwu Gabriel’s conduct during the match, resulting in a cumulative fine of ₦2 million for the club.
These actions by the NPFL demonstrate their commitment to upholding the integrity of the league and ensuring that clubs and players adhere to the highest standards of sportsmanship. Moving forward, it is crucial for all teams to utilize the appropriate channels to address any grievances they may have regarding match officiating, rather than resorting to public criticism. Failure to do so may result in heavier sanctions being imposed by the league body. It is imperative for clubs and players to uphold the values of fair play and respect on and off the field to maintain the integrity of the NPFL.
