The Chairman of Anambra State Football Association, Chief Chikelue Iloenyosi has explained reasons behind the disqualification of Ekwulobia All Stars team in the ongoing Anambra State All Stars Football Championship.
The former Olympic Eagles defender said in Awka that the FA took the decision following convincing evidence that one of the players listed by Ekwulobia All Stars in their match against Omagba All Stars is a referee who is currently officiating in the competition.
He said it’s improper, unprofessional for a referee to be involved in playing a competition he’s also officiating, adding that such s situation amounts to one ‘being a judge and solicitor at same time in same case’.
“This is the first of such tournament, All Stars competition in the state and as such, there are bound to be issues”, Iloenyosi began, calmly.
“And as such there are bound to be issues. It all depends on how such issues are handled so they don’t erode the essence and beauty of the tournament.
“We’ve had to deal with such issues promptly as they arise without bias so as to maintain the integrity of the competition and equally retain its quality and sanctity.
“Yeah, the decision we took in the match between Ekwulobia All Stars and Omagba All Stars is very, very clear. We disqualified Ekwulobia All Stars for obvious reasons.
“Ekwulobia All Stars were alleged to have a referee currently officiating in the tournament in their match day squad list. This didn’t sit appropriately well with the rules as it affects justice and fair play.
“We went through the match Commissioners report, the referee’s report and even saw in the video footage that indeed, he was listed for the match, so on the strenght of the convincing and overwhelming evidence, we took the right decision which was to disqualify Ekwulobia All Stars team.
“Yes, we didn’t invite both teams to the FA Secretariat for hearing in the matter. Some people may feel it would have been more appropriate to have both parties argue their case in the presence of the FA. But when we were convinced and there were clear evidence to prove the referee’s inclusion in the match day team sheet as well as the video clips where he was seen shouting on his team, we needed no further argument or evidence on the matter before taking decision”, Iloenyosi explained.
There have been some other referees who are taking part in the tournament and Iloenyosi was quick to clear the air by drawing a line between the two scenarios.
“A referee is allowed to play in the tournament for as long as he’s not part of the officiating referees in the tournament. If you want to play, you don’t officiate. And if you want to officiate, you don’t play”, the FA boss emphasised, citing some clear instances.
“For instance, the Chairman of Awka South Referees Council is playing for Peace FC All Stars. He’s allowed to play because he’s not officiating any match in the tournament as a referee. He chose to be involved in the competition as a player and had to forego being part of the refereeing officials.
“You cannot officiate in a tournament as a referee and at the same time play in the same competition as an active player. So that’s why we took the decision and also reason why we didn’t invite both teams.
“Of course, before then, the petition was already out, and everybody had seen the hand writing clearly on the wall. We sighted the referee with his jersey, we sighted him when he was aggressively talking to his team and all that.
“So, it’s very, very simple. That’s why we did not invite anybody like we did in some previous cases.
“There has to be a ‘ban’ in this thing because we must make sure that Anambra State Football Association is seen not to be made up of ‘moi-moi’ people.
“We do everything on the basic principle of justice and fair play and we must ensure that justice prevails at the end of the day”.
He disclosed that players are being penciled down in the course of the games. He added that the selected players will play his team in a Novelty Match, adding that from the selected players, the team that will represent the State at the National All Stars Championship will emerge.
“Yes, already, some people are selecting players as the competition progresses. We’re going to play the All Stars Novelty game against my team. I cannot finish a competition I organised without playing. This is fun, you know, so, me, I want to play. Because I want to play, to display some skills.
“We want to also raise the team that will represent the state at the National All Stars Competition from players selected from this competition”.
He admitted there are challenges faced by the FA in the course of staging the maiden edition of the Anambra All Stars Competition.
He said such challenges had to do with funds but quickly hinted that some public spirited individuals have extended some measure of assistance towards the project.
“We’re moving forward. The most important thing in this tournament is the fact that this is the first edition. The second edition is going to be much better and I’m promising everybody that we gonna have more than 50 teams in the next edition .
“And we’ll do it in such a way that we will use money (registration fee) to scare some teams out. You can see the fun in the tournament now. Everybody is coming to Awka every weekend with their families to enjoy themselves. That’s the essence of this tournament, fun”.
He paid glowing tribute to the State Government for erecting the Awka Stadium, saying it has provided the hub for current fast tempo of football and sports revolution currently sweeping through the state.
“I’ve to thank the state government for this wonderful pitch. If the state government had not given us this infrastructure, we would not have been playing this tournament.
“So, all the glory goes to the state government. And I want to thank the Sports Commission Chairman (Patrick Estate Onyedum) for standing behind me. He’s been in support of everything I do.
“And I want to give special thanks to the Governor of Anambra State for all the support they are giving to us.
“I want to thank the Deputy Governor who, despite his crowded schedule, still found time to grace the opening ceremony of this tournament. I will also extend my thanks to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly and the Majority Leader.
“We’re are here to support the government of Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo on whatever he’s doing to make sure that we had an enabling environment here in Anambra State”.
Iloenyosi revealed that he’s gotten approval from Anambra State Government for the State to have its own football team like other states in the country.
“First of all, I want to thank His Excellency, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, for the approval for a state football team which is very, very important for Anambra State. Anambra State is going to have a SOLUTION TEAM very soon”, Iloenyosi said.
