NLO promotion playoff replay order: Rising Stars management appeals decision

NLO promotion playoff replay order: Rising Stars management appeals decision By Admin The match, played on September 8, ended 2-1 in favour of Rising Stars FC. The management of Rising Stars FC of Akure has appealed against the decision of the Nationwide League One management ordering the replay of the already concluded match between the club and Kwara United Feeders. The match, played on September 8, ended 2-1 in favour of Rising Stars FC. It was one of the three promotion matches playoff at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi. The NLO had written to the management of Rising Stars informing them of the decision of its disciplinary/organisation committee on the match ordering its replay due to “perceived irregularities” by the referee. However, in a letter of appeal obtained by newsmen on Monday in Akure, the management of Rising Stars said it felt cheated about the decision. The appeal letter frowned at the decision of the management of the amateur division league without hearing from them as the other party involved. The management acknowledged receiving the letter that ordered the replay of the the match from the NLO on the evening of last Friday when work must have closed. The letter, with the heading: “Appeal letter on the decision of Nationwide League One Disciplinary/Organisation committee on Rising Stars vs Kwara United Feeders,” also complained about the match to be played on the eve of the Nigeria Football Federation election in Katsina. The letter noted that the Coach of Kwara United, Yinka Ojokojo, allegedly encroached on the field of play, bringing the match into disrepute contrary to Article 4.13(1) of the NLO. The appeal letter also noted that the match was played for 45 minutes in both half as against what was stated in the letter of the NLO. The letter stated that the said goal was in the 84th minute, contrary to the “letter of protest” by Kwara United Feeders, which said the “goal” was scored in 92nd minute of play. It noted that the Centre Referee after waiting for the players to continue with the match and the officials and coach to leave the field as well, had to blow the final whistle of the match after the extra time had lapsed. It said: “The decision was received with rude shock and this is unacceptable to us and our Team, Rising Stars Football Club (RSFC). “In this context, we hereby state as follows our grounds of rejecting the decision and appealing against it, as follows: “It would be laughable and abuse of due process, if a match that had been announced on the NLO official’s tweeter handle (@theNNLO) that confirmed Rising Stars Football Club promoted be replayed.” Meanwhile, the appeal letter revealed that the replay would not be feasible with the short notice as players and officials were already on break and would not be and the players having being disbanded to other clubs for trials. The team added that the outcome of the match should stand in line with article 4.13 (1), with the match to be awarded to Rising Stars due to disruption and encroachment by officials of Kwara United Feeders.