Abia Warriors, Rangers get N5m fine over pre-match brawl between officials

The board of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed a fine of N4 million on Abia Warriors FC over a string of rule breaches during their match against Enugu Rangers on Sunday.

According to a tweet on the league’s official X account, the Warriors were charged with violating three rules from the NPFL framework. 

Some of the club’s officials prevented Rangers from gaining access to the Umuahia township stadium before the match, and the action ignited into a brawl.

NPFL said the incident was “capable of bringing the game to disrepute” and fined Abia Warriors N1 million.

Another N1 million sanction was given to the club for failing to provide adequate security to the away team before the match, resulting in the pre-match violence.

The league body said an Abia Warriors official also harassed the media crew of StarTimes, the official broadcast partner of the league, and ceased the mobile device of the company’s regional manager.

The offence attracted a N2 million fine for the Warriors, and the club was also ordered to produce the erring official involved in the act of misconduct for additional sanctions.

Similarly, NPFL penalised Rangers with N1 million fine “following their violent reaction to provocation from the home team”.

Both clubs were warned that any recurrence would lead to severe sanctions.

An early goal from Chimzulam Nwoburuoke was the sole difference as Abia Warriors earned vital three points in the NPFL matchday 10 clash.