Akinkunle Bolarinwa
It seems the Interim Management Committee of the Nigeria Professional Football League needs to appoint private investigators to properly cross check facts and figures before dishing out harsh punishment against innocent teams.
Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi are the latest victim of IMC hasty arbitration despite the club presenting a legitimate claim that exonerated it from the alleged mini altercation that happened before the encounter against Doma United.
Lobi Stars FC was hammered with a total sum of #2 million for alleged infractions against the framework and rules of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) in an incident that led to the late kickoff of match day 10 game against Doma United in Gombe.
The IMC also accused the Vice-Chairman of Lobi Stars Dominic Iofa of allegedly causing disturbances and disruptions that delayed the kickoff for the match.
Football aficionado and executive chairman of Galaxy Sports Development China and Galaxy Sports Academy Nigeria, Austin Akpehe seems not convinced that the IMC has taken the right decision despite the overwhelming evidence available in favour of Lobi Stars.
Speaking with Apexmedia2020.blogspot.com, Austin Akpehe stated there is need for IMC to explore all opportunities of interactions to investigate issues before adjudicating.
In his words !!!
"Well, we seem not to have the details or the IMC *' failed to provide details' and therefore 'seems biassed'* in this prompt submission.
Let the public know the exact manner both the Chairman of Lobi Stars and their officials put forth in Doma.
In the absence of dishing out details, one would assume your judgement to be biassed based on your decisions.
Why is it important to state to the public the actual findings?
Other clubs must know if they act in such a similar manner, they would also be given a similar punishment. I do think this would make every stakeholder also learn in a better manner and know when to apply breaks. And if this judgement is also not sound, eyewitnesses would know if the IMC was wrong.
We received reports on several platforms before kickoff, that the fans of Doma United were stoning urine on officials of Lobi Stars (this is a practice that we mostly were used to in those days as players, especially when playing against certain Northern teams.) It would also be strange to find officials of Lobi Stars or their fans attacking fans of Doma in Doma, knowing they are in a kind of den of lions. Something isn't adding up.
A quote from the submissions of the IMC via an online publication say;
"He said some of the Match Officials have been summoned for in-house administrative procedure with a view to determining their actions on the day, before and during the match." If truly match commissioners have been summoned by the IMC, then why the hasty decision now?
This is my submission regarding what I read from Davidson Owunmi and the happenings at Doma, Gombe.
It is said that the Lobi Stars Chairman was held outside and not allowed to enter the stadium.
In the dressing room, urine was tired and thrown on officials, and officials were hit with sticks on their heads from a reliable source. Security only watched on.
My submission isn't a defence for Lobi Stars nor Doma United and mustn't be seen as offensive to the IMC. We are neutral and stand for the best for us all.
This is an interesting one and we await to hear more.
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