The Nigerian Premier Football League has handed heavy sanctions on Wikki Tourists for multiple breaches during their fixture against Katsina United last Sunday.
According to the report, it is claimed that the charge upon Wikki Tourists is due to the fact that the club were failing to provide “adequate and effective security,” which allowed unauthorized persons access to restricted areas. Supporters were also found guilty of unsporting behaviour capable of bringing the game into disrepute.
The Bauchi based football club supporters were caught throwing dangerous objects, including stones, at players and officials, while match officials and the away team were reportedly held hostage for hours after the game. The incident also caused an 18-minute delay before kickoff.
On that note, the consequences have it that Wikki were fined N2m for security lapses, N1.5m for damages and medical costs — including N250,000 for the referee’s lost whistle and medical expenses for injured officials — N1m for unsporting conduct, another N1m for throwing objects, and N2m for holding officials hostage.
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The Nigerian Premier Football League also included in the memo that the club will now play their home matches at the Jos Stadium indefinitely and have 48 hours to appeal. In a related development, the NPFL has invited Kun Khalifat FC Media Officer, Saviola Godwin Otu, to appear before its headquarters in Abuja on February 17.
The report has it that Otu had alleged double standards by the league, claiming Katsina United received favorable treatment in a situation similar to Kun Khalifat’s failure to honour their NPFL26 fixture against El-Kanemi Warriors.
The Nigerian Premier Football League management has ordered that he is expected to present documentary, audio, or visual evidence to support his claims at the hearing.
