Plateau United fined N2.5 Million over Enyimba attack, faces banishment

By Amaechi Agbo

Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL side, Plateau United have been sanctioned to pay the sum of N2.5 million for breaching the rules and regulations of the league game.
The League Management Company, LMC handed the punishment to the Jos based club following attacks suffered by Enyimba International FC when they played against them in just in matchday 29 of the season.
In announcing the sanctions Friday, LMC noted that Plateau United have incured suspended deduction of 3 points should they record another violent conduct within the season and will be banished from their home stadium.
The release reads “Plateau Utd have been charged for breaching the NPFL Framework & Rules in their Matchday 29 fixture against Enyimba on June 27, 2021.
“The Jos club are charged for delaying the kickoff of the match for no good reason & further failed to provide adequate security as the home team.
“Plateau Utd as the home team also failed to stop unauthorized persons from gaining access to restricted areas.
“Some of Plateau Utd supporters also forcefully gained entry into the stadium and threw objects, one of which hit a player of Enyimba.
“Plateau Utd are hereby fined N500,000 for delaying the kickoff.
“The erring club are further fined N1 million each for failing to provide adequate security and misconduct of their supporters.
“A deduction of three points which is suspended for the rest of this season shall be activated if there is another occurrence.
“Another occurrence of breaching the NPFL Framework will result in the ban of the club’s home ground leading to Plateau Utd playing their home games at a different venue.
“Plateau Utd are expected to work with their state in drawing up a revised security plan for subsequent home matches.
“The Jos club now have 48 hours to appeal these sanctions from the day of notification.”
However, it is most intriguing that LMC failed to make comment or take decision on the club’s refusal to comply with Covid-19 protocols.
Few weeks ago, the LMC issued a circular to all the 20 clubs in the league reminding them of the need to adhere to the “behind closed door” match rules as a result of Covid-19 protocols adding that failure to comply would attract a fine of N5 million.