Matchday 12 of the Nigeria Women Premier League was on Wednesday marred by distasteful reports from two match centers; Nembe City Stadium – where Bayelsa Queens defeated Sunshine Queens by a lone goal – and the Atiku Abubakar Stadium in Fofure – where the match between Adamawa Queens and Osun Babes was inconclusive at 2-1 in favour of the hosts.
Sunshine Queens FC player, Elizabeth Johnson was a victim of assault in Nembe, and a photo of her shared across social media revealed a bleeding cut on her face.
In Fofure, Osun Babes claimed they were protesting a controversial call by the referee when Adamawa Queens fans started throwing objects at them hence they could not continue the game.
Below is a press release from the NWFL board stating its decision on both cases.
Following the emergency meeting of the Ad-hoc Committee formed by the Chairman of the Nigeria Women Football League in a sitting on the 20 – 21st July, 2017 at the Nigeria Women Football League Secretariat Abuja, the following decisions were arrived.
Bayelsa Queens FC vs. Sunshine Queens FC
– The result of the match which started and ended with one goal in favour of Bayelsa Queens FC stands.
– From our findings, security provision was ineffective at the match, thereby resulting in assault at the end of the match. Therefore, State Football Association is hereby called to live up to expectation in their responsibility in providing adequate and effective security in their subsequent matches as provided in article 1.7.1 of the rules book.
– Because clubs shall be held responsible for the behaviour of their supporters before, during or after any match as enshrine in article 22.9 of the rules book. The Bayelsa State Football Association in conjunction with Bayelsa Queens FC are to identify and produce the assailant(s) on or before 28th of July, 2017 to the Nigeria Women Football League Secretariat. Failure of which the league will have no option other take drastic measures on Bayelsa Queens FC.
– The assault on the Sunshine Queens FC player, Elizabeth Johnson was established as a result of fans encroachment into the field immediately after the final whistle of the game. This act attracts a fine of N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira) only to be paid by Bayelsa Queens FC before their next home game. The Nigeria Women Football League invokes article 27.1.3 of the rules book for this fine.
– That Bayelsa Queens FC should make a payment of N200,000.00 for continuous medical treatment of the injured player via Nigeria Women Football League.
– That Bayelsa Queens FC should pay the sum of N50,000.00 for the damaged video camera repair via the Nigeria Women Football League.
– The Match Commissioner failed in his responsibility in ensuring the security and safety of the away team as the team suffered total neglect after the match. Therefore, the Match Commissioner is being recommended to appropriate committee for appropriate sanction.
Adamawa Queens FC vs. Osun Babes FC
From the available match reports received from Match Commissioner and Referee of the match, it was established that the match was abandoned because Osun Babes FC refused to continue play of the game at the 13th minute.
The above act of Osun Babes FC is an infraction of article 15.9 of rules book which emphasize on the duration of each game.
Consequently, in exercise of article 15.10.2 of the rules book, the match shall count as a complete fixture and award a fine of N500,000.00 to Osun Babes FC as enshrine in article 16.2 for discontinuation.
