WITH ADEBAYO OLODAN
At a time we thought crowd violence in our domestic league had been nipped in the bud, the incident reared its ugly head yet again in the 2019 abridged league season.
I feel very sad each time I watch match officials being attacked by supporters and officials of the home team who are always desperate to see their club ending up with the three points even when they play poorly.
Such practice are uncommon scene in leagues in other climes especially Europe.
Unlike in the past where the incident was mostly recorded towards the end of the season, this time crowd violence was recorded on the opening day of the current season in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Surprisingly, the first club whose supporters threw caution to the wind is former NPFL champions, Plateau United at their Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos.
There was rowdy crowd incidence at the end of Plateau United home match against FC IfeanyiUba as the match officials were assaulted by unruly fans led by one Attahiru Babayo. The suspect was said to have been identified by the match officials as the leader of the assault gang.
Plateau United supporters were also found to have thrown objects and projectiles at the match officials as they were leaving the pitch.
The League Management Company (LMC) came hard on the team by imposing N5million fine and also ordering them to play their next three home games in Ilorin for breaching the framework and rules of the NPFL.
After playing only one home match in Ilorin, the LMC surprisingly allowed Plateau to relocate despite having two more home matches to play in the state according to their earlier public statement.
Hardly has the argument that greeted the Plateau Utd saga died down when violence was yet again witnessed during another NPFL match. This time the incident happened when Remo Stars dropped points at home to Insurance of Benin – a team that recently returned to the elite division after 11 years in the lower division.
Like it was the case at Jos, supporters of Remo Stars, owned by Kunle Soname reportedly attacked the centre referee until he sustained injuries on his head.
This time the erring club was banished to Osogbo and fined the sum of N6million. Also, the club owner and the Team Manager, Yinka Ajayi were also suspended for three NPFL matches and for the rest of the season.
While the LMC deserves some commendation for wielding the stick against erring teams, it is however imperative for them to play by the rules and be consistent in making decision on disciplinary issues. It is unhealthy for the LMC to apply different rules for different teams in our domestic league. Overtime it has been observed that when two NPFL teams are found guilty of similar offence, the Organising and Disciplinary (O&D) Committee of the NFF and LMC pronounce dissimilar sanctions for those teams.
The LMC and the NFF must be seen to be fair to all especially when dealing with issues like crowd violence in our league. They must not give room to anyone or team to bring the game into disrepute just as the match officials must be protected while discharging their legitimate duties.
Also, our stadia must be made safe for anyone to watch our domestic league. An occurrence like crowd violence will only succeed in making people lose interest in the NPFL.
Additionally, sponsors and partners are not likely to patronise our league as no one wants to put his/her money where there is unrest or violence.
More importantly, the players and team officials who are the key actors will no longer feel secured each time they play away from home. Consequently, the football that will be on display is likely to be below standard.
For the NPFL and the National League not to suffer the aforesaid misfortunes, the LMC and the NFF must be consistent in making decisions against affected clubs.
There should be no sympathy for any team at the detriment of others.
