NPFL: LMC Summons Remo, Shooting Stars After Fan Clash
The League Management Company (LMC) expressed dissatisfaction over the clash that occurred between fans of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) sides Shooting Stars and Remo Stars, during the Match Day 11 fixture at Ikenne in Ogun State on Sunday.
In a letter to the Shooting Stars and Remo Stars, dated February 8, 2022, the LMC expressed concern on reports of a feud between Supporters of the clubs. The match, which ended 1-0 in favour of Remo, experienced disorderly conduct from fans of the visiting team, Shooting Stars.
The clashes resulted to injuries and destruction of properties at the stadium. The management of Remo Stars and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) have been invited with the Chairmen of their Supporters Clubs for a peace meeting at the Office of the LMC on Monday, 14th February.
Signed by Salihu Abubakar, the Chief Operating Officer, the letter read, “the LMC is disturbed by the acrimony exhibited by fans during and after the game and believe that we must intervene to ensure peaceful conduct of your Supporters in future fixtures between your clubs.”
“Consequently, you are hereby invited to a meeting with our top Management to be held on Monday, 14th February 2022 by 2pm at the Office of the League in Abuja. The Chairman of your respective Supporters Clubs are also invited to participate in the meeting.”
The In another case, Wikki Tourists Supporters were alleged to have turned unruly during and after its draw with Rangers on MatchDay 11 at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.
The LMC has ordered the Remo Stars, Shooting Stars and Wikki Tourists to play their next home matches of the NPFL with the stadium closed to fans and warned that a repeat occurrence may lead to more severe sanctions.
In separate Summary Jurisdiction notices to the three clubs, the LMC imposed a one match stadium ban of Supporters of Wikki Tourists, Remo Stars and Shooting Stars for their disorderly conduct at the end of the MatchDay 11 fixture.
Shooting Stars were charged with breach of Rule B13.22 in that Supporters of the Club were found to have thrown plastic bottles onto the pitch leading to stoppages on the 31st and 87th minute of the match.
The LMC also cited the official match report that indicated that the club supporters clashed with those of the home team immediately after the match leading to injuries and destruction of property.
Remo Stars and Wikki Tourists were separately charged for breach of Rule B13.52 in that the clubs failed to ensure adequate and effective security for persons involved in their respective matches in Ikenne and Bauchi.
“You are in breach of Rule 13.52, failure to ensure adequate and effective security for persons involved in the match wherein some of your Supporters clashed with the opposing Supporters after the match resulting in injuries and destruction of property,” the LMC wrote to Remo Stars.
The three clubs were also charged with breach of Rule B15;16 which makes the conduct of Supporters a responsibility of the club before, during and after a match.
The clubs reserve the right to submit to the decisions or elect to appear before a panel, but must communicate such decision in writing to the LMC within 24 hours.
Chidi Nwoke/LMC.
