NPFL: Insurance, Nasarawa win three points deduction appeals

Nigeria Premier Football League sides Bendel Insurance and Nasarawa United have had the three-point deduction verdicts against them in the 2024/25 season set aside by the Nigeria Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee after filing an appeal.

The Benin Arsenal were ducked three points and three goals by the league’s board in November in the wake of the fans’ trouble after their 1-0 loss at home to Kano Pillars while Nasarawa United suffered the same fate after their 1-1 draw at home against Rivers United in December.

Insurance fans were reported to have directed their fury at centre referee Adeniyi Adewale and his assistants, Sodiq Sonibare and Anuoluwapo Balogun after Kano Pillars were awarded a last-minute penalty, which was converted by Rabiu Ali.

Almost three months after it was imposed, the NF’s Disciplinary Committee which sat on Wednesday accepted the club’s appeal on the ground that the assault on the match officials was not grievous.

“The order in paragraph “e” deducting three points and three goals from the accrued points/goals of Bendel Insurance FC by the NPFL is hereby set aside, on the ground that the assault on the match officials was not grievous as provided in Rule C11 of the Frameworks and Rules of the NPFL,” a statement by the NFF read.

The NFF committee also recommended the demotion of the match assistant who delivered the message.

“The Committee recommends that the Match Commissioner Mr. Godfrey Maman JP should be demoted to the Nigeria National League (NNL) category with immediate effect.”

Bendel Insurance have weathered the storm throughout their appeal, winning five of their last 12 games plus four draws on the road against Enyimba, Rivers United, Heartland and Akwa United, managing to stay above the relegation zone with four points.

The NFF committee’s verdict will now see them return to the middle of the table with 31 points after 23 matches which comes as a huge morale booster ahead of their Sunday’s home clash against Niger Tornadoes.

For Nasarawa United, they will still find themselves in the relegation zone by the time their accrued and restored points will take 25 points after 23 games.

SOURCE: PUNCH