The Secretariat of the Nationwide League One has handed out severe sanctions to Emirald & Gerald FC, one of the nine teams taking part in the ongoing NLO U19 Play Off here in Awka, Anambra State, following the team’s decision to Abandon their Tuesday’s fixture against Ikukuoma FC with only six minutes before the final whistle.
None of the teams had scored before the stalemate.
The organisers further handed an indefinite suspension on the team’s coach, Ifeanyi Osuagwu who was alleged to have orchestrated the incident that brought the game into disrepute by walking into the pitch and ordered his players out, never to continue the game.
In a memo addressed to the Imo State Football Association Secretary, dated July 18 and signed by the NLO Chief Operating Officer, Olushola Ogunnowo, the organisers said they have received and read the reports of the match officials and have come to the conclusion that Emirald & Gerald are in violation of relevant sections of the rules and regulations of the tournament especially as it affects Article 4:13 which dwells on pitch encroachment.
Consequently, Emirald & Gerald FC were suspended from further participation in the ongoing playoff. They are also indefinitely suspended as well as their coach, Ifeanyi Osuagwu.
The memo sighted by SportsPathFinder.com further indicated that coach Osuagwu and his team will be reported to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, following the incident that overshadowed the match on Tuesday.
The memo had acknowledged that coach Osuagwu breached the code of professionalism by walking into the pitch to stop a game on the pretext of spotting an ineligible player on the side of his opponents.
But organisers cleared Ikukuoma of any wrongdoing as the alleged player in question was duly licensed and therefore eligible for the playoffs.
In the aftermath of the current development, today (Wednesday July 19) last group A fixture involving Ebonyi United and Emirald & Gerald FC billed for Awka City Stadium will no longer hold.
/Sab Osuji
