The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has placed indefinite suspension on all the four clubs involved in scandalous score-lines during promotion play-offs into the Nigeria Nationwide League, the lowest tier of Nigeria domestic League, on Monday.
In a mind-boggling show of shame never previously witnessed in Nigeria football, Plateau United Feeders somehow manufactured a 79-0 victory over Akurba FC while Police Machine FC demolished Babayaro FC 67-0. All teams were involved in promotion play-offs in which the winners would qualify to play in Nigeria Nationwide League Division 3.
Chairman of the NFF Organising Committee, Chief Mike Umeh, who is also NFF 1st Vice President, was alarmed when informed and promptly directed that the four teams at the centre of the scandal be grounded, pending further sanctions on all involved.
“It is unacceptable. This is a scandal of huge proportions. The four teams involved are suspended immediately and indefinitely, pending further sanctions. We will investigate this matter thoroughly and get to the bottom of it,” Umeh said on Tuesday.
NFF’s Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi assured that the Organising Committee would mete out severe sanctions on all persons and institutions indicted by the investigation.
“For now, that centre is suspended. The teams involved, their players and officials, match officials, coordinator and anyone found to have played some role in this despicable matter would be severely dealt with,” Sanusi said.
