LMC expels Kano Pillars chairman for assaulting match official

The League Management Company (LMC) has expelled Suraj Yahaya, Kano Pillars chairman, for assaulting an assistant referee during his club’s game against Dakkada FC.

Suraj was said to have assaulted a match official identified as Daramola Olalekan during the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game.

The LMC said Yahaya’s conduct is “capable of bringing the game to disrepute”.

The club was also fined N2 million for failing “to ensure proper conduct of their officials” and N250,000 was awarded as compensation for the assaulted match official.

“Kano Pillars chairman Suraj Yahaya also assaulted a match official Daramola Olalekan (assistant referee 1) with his conduct capable of bringing the game to disrepute,” the LMC statement reads.

“The Kano club are fined N1m for failing to ensure proper conduct of their officials in obvious disregard of NPFL Framework & Rules as well as the assurance letter issued by the Kano State Commissioner of Police on June 8, 2022.

“A further N1m fine is imposed on Kano Pillars for the assault on a match official. The club are also fined N250,000 being compensation for the assaulted match official.

“Kano Pillars chairman Suraj Yahaya is expelled from the league with immediate effect. The club are to follow up on the arrest of the offending official to ensure his full prosecution in furtherance of the police report lodged by the match officials on June 23, 2022.

“In the event of any further similar breach of the League Rules regarding the assault of Match Officials, Kano Pillars shall forfeit 2 points from the points accruing to the club, in addition to any other sanctions that may be deemed appropriate in the circumstance.

“LMC delegate Uchenna Iyoke will get a compensation of N500,000 for lost valuables in the course of the Kano Pillars v Dakkada match.”