Bendel Insurance, Plateau get points deduction after fans assaulted referees

The board of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has handed Bendel Insurance a three-point deduction over the club’s supporters’ attack on match officials. 

In a tweet on its X account, the league body charged the club with “breaching the NPFL Frameworks & Rules” during Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Kano Pillars at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Edo.

NPFL said Insurance failed to provide adequate security, which resulted in “the attack and intimidation” of the match officials.

“The assault on the match officials by Bendel Insurance supporters is a conduct capable of bringing the game to disrepute,” the post reads.

“3 points & 3 goals shall be deducted from Bendel Insurance’s accrued points & goals for the assault on the match officials.

Insurance was then fined N3 million for inadequate security, failing to ensure the proper conduct of its supporters, and “misconduct capable of bringing the game to disrepute.”

The club will also play its next three home games behind closed doors, and another N750,000 million fine will be paid as compensation to the assaulted match officials—Adeniyi Adewale, Anuoluwapo Balogun, and Sodiq Sonibare.

Similarly, Plateau United was also sanctioned with a 3-point deduction over the club’s supporters’ attack on match officials.

NPFL said the club’s fans threw objects at the field of play during Sunday’s match against Enugu Rangers. The projectiles injured one of the match officials.

“Plateau Utd will pay a fine of N1 million each for failing to provide adequate & effective security as well as for throwing objects towards the field of play, totaling N2 million,” the post reads.

“Plateau Utd will also pay N1 million each for failing to ensure proper conduct of their supporters and misconduct capable of bringing the game to disrepute, totaling another N2 million.

“Plateau Utd will pay another fine of N500,000, in addition to compensation of N250,000 each for the assaulted match official (Zakari Aminu) and Rangers player Daniel Onyia.

“Plateau Utd will play their next three home matches behind closed doors at their New Jos Stadium ground.”