How NNL Are Promoting Hooliganism Ahead Of Crunch Fixtures

How NNL Are Promoting Hooliganism Ahead Of Crunch Fixtures Precious Oham As the 2024/2025 Nigeria National League (NNL) regular season gets into its last round of matches, the stakes are high as teams jostle for a place in the Super 8 playoffs, BSNSports.com.ng reports. Permutations for teams fighting for the Super 8 slot are already underway, while the teams fighting their way through the waters of relegation are not left out. The battle for who makes it to the playoffs and who goes down to the lower league is one which pundits have observed with keen interest, as it is keenly contested. Unfortunately, too, as a result, some fans were overtaken by emotions and the clubs got sanctioned for their actions. Just recently, the NNL hammer fell on Godswill Akpabio FC of Uyo and Barau FC of Kano for assaulting Match Officials. Godswill Akpabio FC were charged with assault of match officials after a Matchday 15 encounter against Rovers FC of Calabar, which ended 2-2 at the Uyo Township Stadium on 26th April 2025. The team was fined the sum of N3,000,000, which must be paid before their next match. Godswill Akpabio FC must also play their next two home games under strict closed doors. An additional sum of N250,000 as medical bills to the assaulted match officials and Austin Ajibawo, who was cautioned for physical intimidation of the first assistant referee during the halftime interval, was suspended for two matches. Furthermore, the Akwa Ibom State FA was also given only seven days to identify the names of assailants or show evidence of disciplinary action taken against them. Barau FC were sanctioned for the infraction during their home game against Gombe United at the Danbatta Township Stadium on 26th April. It was established that the home team fans started throwing missiles at the technical bench of Gombe United right from the first half, which caused some injuries and led to the abandonment of the match for 15 minutes, in which they ended up winning by 2 0. The NNL O&D imposed a fine of the sum of N2,000,000, and an additional sum of N150,000 for medical bills to be paid to the assaulted Gombe United officials and also to play their next two home matches under strict closed doors. The implications meant Barau FC would pay the fine of ₦2,150,000 and play their next two home games behind closed doors. "NNL Lifts Suspension on Barau FC Fans Entering Dambatta Stadium" The above subject matter was from a press statement by the Media Officer of Barau FC, Ahmad Hamisu Gwale, on the purported lifting of the suspension. The statement reads: "The Nigerian National League (NNL) has lifted the suspension preventing fans of Barau FC from entering the Dambatta Stadium. "In a letter signed and sent to Barau FC on Saturday, the Chief Operating Officer of the NNL, Dalu Danlami Alanana, stated: "We acknowledge receipt of a letter from Barau FC dated 30th April, 2025 on the above subject. The Nigeria National League has granted their request." "With this decision, fans of Barau FC are now allowed to enter the Dambatta Stadium for the match between Barau FC and Wikki Tourists scheduled for Sunday at 3:00 PM." This latest development from the league body is tantamount to promoting hooliganism in match venues, which is a violation of the judgment of the NNL O&D. The NNL, as a body which has sworn to protect the integrity of the league, must ensure the judgment is obeyed completely by the teams. By upholding this ruling, the league body makes it clear that they are just and fair to all parties and will not hesitate to let down the hammer on any erring club. This also shows that no club will be favoured over the other. Interestingly, there is a big clash involving Barau FC and fellow promotion-chasing Wikki Tourists. This is a big test that the NNL should pass by making sure that the game is played strictly behind closed doors, respecting the decision of the NNL O&D, as that decision has not been overturned by the Nigeria Football Federation Appeals Committee. Fair play and the spirit of sportsmanship are the name of the game, and it is expected that every stakeholder in Nigerian football must support the fair play and integrity agenda of the Alhaji Gusau-led executive board.