NPFL: Inter Lagos hit with ₦5 million fine, three-point deduction over officials’ assault

Inter Lagos have been hit with a series of disciplinary sanctions by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after breaching the NPFL27 Framework & Rules during their Matchday 7 fixture against Katsina United on Sunday, 4 October.

The Lagos-based club have been sanctioned over a series of incidents surrounding the match, including “inadequate security, the harassment and assault of match officials, and the failure to control their officials and supporters after the final whistle.”

According to the disciplinary decision, “Inter Lagos failed to provide adequate and effective security at the venue, allowing unauthorised persons to gain access to restricted areas.

“The security breach subsequently led to an attack on the match officials as they made their way from the dressing room to their vehicle after the game.”

The situation reportedly escalated further as Inter Lagos failed to ensure proper conduct among their officials and supporters, resulting in the match officials being held hostage for more than an hour after the match.

The league also found that some Inter Lagos officials, alongside supporters of the club, intimidated, harassed and verbally abused the match officials in conduct deemed capable of bringing the game into disrepute.

More seriously, the club’s team manager, together with some supporters, assaulted the match officials.

The first assistant referee was injured in the face during the incident and also lost personal belongings, while his mobile telephone was damaged.

As a result of the breaches, Inter Lagos have been handed multiple financial sanctions.

The club were fined #2 million for failing to provide adequate and effective security and another #1 million for holding the match officials hostage for more than an hour.

The club was also fined an additional #2 million for assaulting the match officials. In contrast, a further #250,000 has been ordered as compensation to the affected assistant referee for the loss of his personal items, damage to his mobile phone and medical treatment for the injury sustained during the incident.

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Beyond the financial penalties, Inter Lagos has suffered a major sporting punishment: 3 points and 3 goals will be deducted from the club’s accrued points and goals tally for assaulting and injuring the first assistant referee.

The sanctions could therefore significantly affect Inter Lagos’ campaign as they continue their NPFL season.

The Lagos club have 48 hours from the date of notification to appeal the sanctions.