Newly promoted Nigeria Professional Football League side Bayelsa United has been penalised by the league’s Interim Management Committee (IMC) for breaches of the NPFL framework during their 1‑1 draw with Doma United on Wednesday in Yenagoa. The club was docked three points and stripped of three goals, and fined N1,750,000 for three separate violations that culminated in an attack on match officials after the game. In addition, Bayelsa United must play its remaining home matches at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa behind closed doors.
In a statement signed by the league’s Head of Operations, Davison Owumi, the IMC said the club failed to provide adequate security for match officials before, during, and after the fixture, and allowed unauthorised persons access to restricted areas. “You are in breach of Rule B8.21 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Premier Football League, in that, Wednesday 1st of February 2023, in the course of match Day 5 Fixture: Bayelsa United vs. Doma United, you failed to provide adequate security for the match officials before, during and after a match; which resulted in the assault of the match official,” the statement read.
The IMC also ordered the immediate prosecution of the individual identified as Joseph Zidougha, also known as “One Man Riot,” who was arrested in connection with the assault. Bayelsa United confirmed Zidougha’s arrest via its official Twitter account but asserted that he has no affiliation with the club. “The hoodlum, Joseph Odede popularly known as One Man Riot, was apprehended by the police immediately after the match and is currently in police custody following the ungodly act by the tout who is known in Nigeria for such behaviour. The tout attacked the match official outside the stadium. He has no connection with Bayelsa United fans. Further punishment on the brigand will be announced by the management of Bayelsa United, who are not happy with his uncivilised and barbaric act,” the club posted on Thursday.
Bayelsa United currently sit eighth in their group. The three‑point deduction reduces their tally from five points in five games to just two points.
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