NIGERIA. ABUJA: The world football governing body, Federation International Football Association (FIFA), is set to fine the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over the invasion of MKO Abiola National stadium during the last round of 2022 world cup qualifiers against Black Stars of Ghana in Abuja the Nigeria capital city.
The match between the black stars of Ghana and the Super Eagles of Nigeria, which ended zero-zero in Ghana, sees Ghana defeating Nigeria 2 goals to 1 during the return match in Nigeria and has helped the black stars book their place in this year’s world cup in Qatar.
However, due to the defeat by the Black stars, Nigeria failed to register their presence at this year’s world cup fans stormed the pitch to destroy the stadium property.
Therefore the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has concluded an arrangement to sanction Nigeria for misconduct by the fans.
FIFA stated that Nigeria was sanctioned due to its failure to safeguard life and property during the match. “Failure to implement existing safety rules and failure to ensure that law and order are maintained in the stadium, invasion of the field of play and throwing of objects.”
It is an existing tradition in the FIFA law that tolerance, discrimination, and violence in the game of football must not condone, and any nation, team, or individual finds wanty must be dealt with accordingly. It also stated that officials of NFF fans also face further sanctions due to their misbehavior.
However, Nigeria is to face a 150,000 Swiss Franc (N63,996,216.90) fine due to the unruly behavior of its fans and one match without spectators.
Last month, the Senate summoned the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare; NFF President, Amaju Pinnick; and other entities involved in the MKO Abiola Stadium’s maintenance to assess the degree of the damage to the stadium’s amenities.
The senators also asked the Senate Committee on Sports and Youth Development to look into the long-term and short-term causes of Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup despite massive funding from the government, individuals, and businesses.
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