By Amaechi Agbo
Abia State Government, the owners of Nigeria Professional Football League NPFL side, Enyimba International FC, have threatened to boycott playing in “hostile stadiums” in the league if the Nigeria Football Federation NFF and the League Management Company LMC fail to arrest and prosecute those who attacked the players and officials of the club in Jos, Plateau State on Sunday.
Enyimba Players and officials were victims of attack on Sunday in Jos after they played out a 0-0 draw against their host, Plateau United.
The state government in a release condemned the attack which have generated reactions across the the league followers
In a release by the Commissioner for information, John Okiyi Kalu, the government called on the NFF and LMC to fully investigate the incident and sanction those found culpable as “we will not condone any further attacks on our high flying players and fans under any guise.
“Failure to do the needful will compel us to consider all options including stopping the team from playing at hostile stadiums where their lives are endangered.
“Football fans must realize that it is only a game and not a mortal combat.
“In the game of football there are 3 possible outcomes: win, lose or draw.
“None of those outcomes should lead to violence of any kind,” the release said.
The League Management Company, LMC as well as Plateau United are yet to issue official statements regarding the attack.
Recall that Kano Pillars were recently handed N7.5 million fine by the LMC for crowd violence in Kaduna just as Remo Stars were on the receiving end of the Nigeria National League NNL management sanctions for attacking Insurance in an NNL match on Ogun earlier this month.
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