Nigeria Professional Football League side Bayelsa United is awaiting the verdict of the league’s Interim Management Committee after appealing the decision to dock them three points for assaulting an assistant referee during their match‑day five game against Doma United in Yenagoa on Wednesday. The club had already been penalised this season with the deduction of three points and three goals, a fine of N1,750,000 for three breaches of the NPFL framework, and an order to play subsequent home games behind closed doors.
Bayelsa United appealed on the grounds of breaches of Rule B8:21, C11 and B13:52, arguing that they had provided funds to the Bayelsa State FA to ensure security and related logistics. The club noted that the state FA supplied 35 police officers to secure the stadium and disowned the assailant, Zidougha Odede—known as “One Man Riot”—who attacked the official. Bayelsa United asserted that Odede had been apprehended for prosecution.
In its statement, the club requested that, pursuant to Rule E of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Premier Football League, the N1,000,000 fine for failure to provide adequate security be set aside, as well as the N500,000 fine for failing to restrict access to unauthorized persons. Bayelsa United also asked that the three‑point and three‑goal deduction for the assault of the match official be vacated in the interest of fairness and equity. Additionally, the club sought a reduction of the N250,000 compensatory payment for the assault on assistant referee Ojeleye Ebenezer and a review of the order to play behind closed doors.
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