NNL: Jigawa Golden Stars penalized with N1m fine, player suspended, and referees ousted from league.

Following an incident during a Nigeria National League match-day 17 fixture between Jigawa Golden Stars and Sporting Supreme FC in Dutse on Saturday, the league administration has imposed a one-year ban on an unnamed player from Jigawa Golden Stars for allegedly using both hands to push the ball into the net, denying their opponents a point.

George Aluo, Chairman of the NNL, confirmed this in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday. Additionally, the two referees involved in the match, Zaharadeen Nasiru from Katsina State and his assistant Usman Auwalu from Borno State, were expelled by the Refereeing Development Unit of the Nigeria Football Federation on the same day.

A viral video of the incident depicted a cross into Sporting Supreme’s box being handballed twice, with the initial attempt to score thwarted by a player using both hands, before another player eventually scored with their hands. The home team celebrated the goal, while the nearby referee signaled for a goal.

“The Jigawa player, wearing shirt No. 9, who appeared to be playing volleyball, has been banned for one year for tarnishing the game’s reputation, and Jigawa has been fined N1 million for failing to provide adequate security,”.

The Referees’ Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation swiftly responded to the incident on Sunday by expelling the two officials involved. A statement signed by Mohammed Ameenu, on behalf of the NFF Referees’ Committee chairman, and addressed to Nasiru and Auwalu, stated, “In light of the serious nature of your actions in the week 17 match between Jigawa Golden Stars FC and Sporting Supreme FC in Dutse, where your conduct brought the game and refereeing in Nigeria into disrepute, you are hereby expelled from the league and refereeing effective immediately.”

The NNL also addressed the match between Ijebu United and Osun United, which ended 1-0 in favor of the home team in Ijebu-Ode, and other recent controversial decisions by officials. A viral video outside the Dipo Dina Stadium showed players involved in a brawl with suspected hoodlums, resulting in some players being hospitalized.

“We have also requested the delisting of Henry Akwara from Imo State, the referee who officiated the Warri Wolves vs Ikorodu United match last weekend, as well as referees from the Sokoto United vs Kebbi, Calabar Rovers vs Ekiti United, and Ijebu United vs Osun United matches,” Aluo added. “These individuals are detrimental to the integrity of the league, and we do not want them officiating NNL games for the remainder of the season. We will not tolerate any actions that undermine our efforts to clean up the league.”