The Appeals Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has endorsed Nasarawa United’s final position on the NPFL table and by virtue of that the Lafia-based side will now represent the country in the 2016 CAF Confederation Cup.
Nasarawa United and Giwa FC have been embroiled in a logjam over their abandoned match day 38 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match at the Lafia Township Stadium.
The Jos-based side walked off the pitch in the 36th minute after going two goals down and two men short before half-time in one of the final games of the season.
Both sides were in contention for a continental slot which was like a gas-burner to the game. Nojeem Raji and Amos Gyang of Giwa FC were sent off before the interval which led the Jos side to protest and eventually left the pitch.
The League Management Company (LMC) awarded the game to Nasarawa United which saw them finish above Giwa FC and win a place on the continent. Giwa FC appealed the decision which led the Organising and Disciplinary (O and D) committee of the NFF to order that the game continue from the 36th minute. Nasarawa United appealed against the verdict.
The NFF Disciplinary Committee last week ordered that the match should be continued from the time it was abandoned despite Giwa FC refusing to finish the game which is in breach of article B13.26 of the Framework and Rules of the NPFL.
Nasarawa United appealed the judgement pronounced by the Barrister Christopher Green-led Disciplinary Committee and NFF Appeal Committee granted the prayer of Nasarawa United overturning the decision of the NFF Disciplinary Committee and implemented the provisions of article B13.26 as being applicable; that is a fine of N3 million on Giwa FC, a deduction of 3 points from Giwa FC and crediting Nasarawa United FC with 3 points and 3 goals.
Appeals committee chairman, Eddy Mark, confirmed the development saying: “Our decision was taken in consonance with the rule book of the league.”
By this ruling, the NPFL final table of the 2014/15 season as ratified by the LMC stands as it is and the teams who have qualified to represent Nigeria on the continent are champions Enyimba and Warri Wolves in the CAF Champions League with Nasarawa United joining 2015 Federation Cup winners Akwa United in the CAF Confederation Cup.
