The League Management Company (LMC) has ruled that Nembe City will play their next three home matches in Benin. These decisions and others including a financial fine on Nembe City were reached in the aftermath of the inconclusive Match Day 27 fixture between Nembe City and Lobi Stars at the Krisdera Stadium, Omoku, Rivers State.
The league body found that the match was discontinued as a result of fans invading the pitch in protest of extra time penalty awarded by the center Referee against Nembe City. It noted that it was the action of the fans and not the protest of Nembe City players, who though initially protested the penalty award that caused the pitch invasion and inhibited the continuation of play. It further observed that play could not have resumed even if Nembe City players returned within five to twenty five minutes as stipulated by the Rules when the fans refused to vacate the pitch and accordingly fined the club N500, 000 for the unruly conduct of its players, officials and fans.
The LMC therefore ordered that the botched match will be concluded at a neutral venue on a date preceding the 2014 Federation Cup finals. The match will be re-started from the time it was halted and with the same result that prevailed at the time of the disruption. The LMC said these immediate actions are without prejudice to the Organizing and Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
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