Matchday 26: NPFL Match Official Beaten In Lagos, Rivers United Held Hostage In Ilorin
There are indications that the League Management Company’s punitive measures meted out on clubs with restive fans aimed at combing hooliganism in Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) league venues are not yielding the desired results as such unprofessional acts reared their ugly heads again in the matchday 26 fixtures.
In Lagos, a match official was attacked after MFM drew goalless with visiting Enugu Rangers. The yet to be identified individual was seen in a video on social media walking up to a match official after the final whistle and landing a heavy blow on his face.
Details of the situation are not yet clear at the time of this report.
Meanwhile, a report coming in from Ilorin, Kwara State capital indicates that visiting Rivers United were held hostage after their encounter with Kwara United.
It was gathered that the League leaders, Rivers United who lost the match by 2-1 were prevented from leaving the stadium after the match.
Earlier before kickoff, Kwara United management had refused Rivers United access to the stadium to train.
According to a source, “@RiversUnitedFC are currently being held hostage after their 2-1 loss to Kwara United in an NPFL match. The team was prevented from accessing the stadium before the match, forced to have warm-up at the car park, and were attacked after the match.”
Recall that Kano Pillars were recently fined Nine Million Naira, 3 points deducted and banished indefinitely to play their home matches at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja after a series of crowd troubles at the home ground in Kano.
