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By Abiodun Adewale.
Nigeria Professional Football League side, Bayelsa United, are awaiting the verdict of the Interim Management Committee of the league after appealing against the decision to dock them three points over assault of an assistant referee during their match-day five game against Doma United in Yenagoa on Wednesday, The PUNCH reports.
The club already had three points and three goals deducted from their tally this season and are also expected to pay N1, 750,000 for three breaches of the NPFL framework. They were also ordered to play their subsequent home games behind closed doors.
However, Bayelsa United have appealed for breaches of Rule B8:21, C11 and B13:52, claiming that they provided funds to the Bayelsa State FA to ensure that security was on ground, as well as other related logistics.
The club maintained that the state FA provided 35 police officers for the purpose of ensuring security at the stadium, while they also disowned the assailant, Zidougha Odede, popularly known as One Man Riot, who assaulted the official with assurances that he had been apprehended for prosecution.
“On the grounds of the foregoing submission, Bayelsa United, pursuant to provision of Rule E of Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Premier Football League that N1,000,000 awarded against on the grounds of failure to provide adequate security, be set aside.
“The fine of N500, 000 awarded against Bayelsa United on grounds of failure to ensure the restriction of access to unauthorised persons to all areas, be also set aside.
“The order deducting three points and three goals from the accumulated points/goals of Bayelsa United for the assault of a match official be vacated in the interest of fairness and equity,” the club said in a statement.
The club also asked that the N250,000 compensatory payment for the assault of assistant referee Ojeleye Ebenezer be reviewed downwards, just as the review of the order to play behind closed doors.