Matchday 28 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) which took place between former champions Enyimba of Aba and Niger Tornadoes at the U.J Esuene Stadium is making the rounds in the media for the wrong reasons.
Enyimba won the game 3-0 but faltered in their logistics by fielding an ineligible player who was supposed to be on a one match ban due yellow card accumulation. The rules of the League Management Company in article 25 c states that:
"If a club intentionally fields an ineligible player, three points and three goals will be awarded to her opponent".
Now the story making the rounds from the Enyimba camp states that, they are unaware of the situation involving their player Ikechukwu Ibenegbu and also denied receiving any mail of notice whatsoever from the LMC concerning their default, claiming the mail was sent to their junk and spam folder which they don't access.
However, irrespective of this mistake, the LMC has decided to hold unto their judgment on the stance that Enyimba unintentionally committed the mistake, one which Tornadoes did not protest before and after the game knowing the situation; therefore, the Enyimba club has been vindicated.
Here is an official statement by the LMC
“…Suspension notices are sent to both clubs involved in any match in
question in order for disputes over eligibility of players to be
addressed prior to the match. Note that where a protest is made against
the eligibility of a player prior to a match and the other team insists
on fielding such player, upon confirmation that the player was
ineligible, it would likely be established that the team intentionally
featured such a player as envisaged under Rule C5”, read the LMC
decision signed by Salihu Abubakar, the Chief Operating Officer.
The Niger Tornadoes side is asking for application of the rules, which
will thereafter award them, 3 goals and 3 points but from the look of
things, the LMC is not buying into the claim.
Tags: LMC, NPFL, Enyimba, Niger Tornadoes.
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