While trying to find out what my topic on this column will be this week, I suddenly noticed a material whose author or writer had not stated or known in one platform which I am a member.
The material which was titled: “Unfair NPFL’s decision against Enyimba”, serially itemized all the assumed unfair NPFL’s decision and treatment against Enyimba which it portrayed as very bad for the league as well as charcoal turning into sugar for obvious several reasons which are as follows: –
The first among them was lack of consistency: According to the material, the NPFL‘s decision on Enyimba’s match against the visiting Doma United FC from Gombe appeared to be inconsistent with previous rulings in similar cases. Sighting inconsistency in decision-making erodes the credibility of the league and raises questions about fairness and transparency of the NPFL.
If Mr Nura Abdullahi who was the CR of the game between Enyimba vs Doma United said he wrote his match report under duress and he knew those who forced him to do that, is time for him to come out and point at those who did it.
Mr Nura Abdullahi who was from Zamfara State said he write two match reports (one at his dressing room at the Enyimba Stadium where there was no light and one at his room at Terminus hotel where there was light, then who forced him to write those match reports) how can a referee write a match report in two different places with to same narratives and then turn back to write another report one month after the said match?
Its second point was disruption to the league: The material pointed out that the decision of the NPFL to dock Enyimba three points and fine them heavily can possibly disrupt the league’s competitive balance. According to the material, the decision can unfairly disadvantage Enyimba and potentially affect their performance in future matches.
The third was its negative impact on Enyimba’s reputation: The material pointed out that Enyimba, being one of the most successful clubs in Nigeria, have built a strong reputation over the years. As such decisions can tarnish their image and can discourage other clubs from investing in the league.
The next point on the material was the discouragement for clubs and fans: The material pointed out that the NPFL’s decision can discourage other clubs from participating actively in the league or investing in their infrastructure and player development.
“It can also disappoint the fans, who expect fair and unbiased decisions from the governing body”, it added.
Next was its impact on the league sponsorship and TV rights: According to the material, such controversial decisions like this can result in sponsors reconsidering their investments in the league, as TV rights holders may also question their ties with a league that does not adhere to consistent and fair decision-making.
The material further pointed out that in the match between Enyimba vs Katsina United, on the 17th of January 2024, Enyimba was robbed by the match officials starting with the AR1 who was from Benue State when Andrew Idoko whos ball didn’t even reach the goal line was declared goal by the said AR2. Enyimba never protested or fought the match officials for that ungodly football ruling.
Similarly, in the game between Enyimba and Sunshine Stars in Akure a according to the material, a goal was awarded to the home side which never crossed the line just like that of Katsina United and yet The People’s Elephants didn’t complain to anybody about the bad officiating or what happened in the game.
Even in its match against Kano Pillars according to the material, Enyimba were denied a clean penalty in the game and the club moved on without complaining about it and the outcome yet the NPFL board did nothing about it.
The material further added that, in Uyo against Akwa United, Enyimba were denied three clean penalties by the officials of the game and NPFL board did nothing about it as they support everything against Enyimba just to help any individual or state governments who pays them for results to satisfy their people.
Mr Akinsuliere Kayode from Ondo State was the AR1 of the said game, he was the same person who later admitted that he was wrong to raise his flag for an offside against the Enyimba goal because he thought it was an offside which he later realized that it was never an offside and hard to agree with the CR that it was a good goal.
If the NPFL board think they can manipulate Enyimba results to favour some teams for continental slots and Government giveaways, then Enyimba will have no option than to boycott the league and withdraw its membership of the NPFL. “We’ve never had it this bad before in this league as the humiliation is too much,” it stated.
Overall, the NPFL’s decision against Enyimba is detrimental to the league’s reputation, competitiveness, and potential for growth. “It undermines the trust and confidence that stakeholders have in the league administration and raises concerns about the fairness and integrity of the competition”, the material concluded.
But before I could peruse and comment on all the above stated points, then came a statement from the management of the team which denied all that material itemized above.
Enyimba Football Club has denied reports of inner forces and former Enyimba bosses teaming up with Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) board members to fight against the current board led by Kanu Nwankwo.
According to a statement released by the club, Enyimba strongly refuted the alleged collaboration, labeling it as baseless and without any foundation. The club asserted that such claims were attempts to tarnish the reputation and harmony within Enyimba FC.
Enyimba emphasized that their priority is to focus on the team’s success and to continue upholding the club’s values. They urged supporters and the public to disregard the circulating rumors and remain united behind the team.
According to the statement, Enyimba Football Club is one of the most successful Nigerian football clubs, having won numerous national and continental titles. The club’s management expressed their commitment to maintaining stability and professionalism within the club, ensuring that any challenges are resolved internally and in accordance with their established processes.
In conclusion, Enyimba FC has rejected reports alleging the formation of alliances between former Enyimba bosses, inner forces, and NPFL board members to fight against the current board led by Kanu Nwankwo. The club remains focused on their goals and requested the public’s support in disregarding the unfounded rumors.
Honestly, since Enyimba has refuted all the claims raised above, I don’t see any reason why myself or any other person would say anything in that regard. Doing that is going to be like crying more than the owner of the dead.
But the league board needs to do more to make sure that the referees are doing what is expected of them. The cries of poor officiating, awarding and denial of penalties and many other vices the referees used to award victory to undeserved teams should be investigated.
And whoever is found wanting should be punished.
1 Comment
awesome