Gombe United have been ducked three points and three goals from their total accrued for the season in a move the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) says is pursuant to its zero tolerance for assault on match officials.
NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, who signed the notice warned, other clubs to ensure the safety of match officials assigned to their games or face serious consequences.
Officials in the Matchday 26 fixture against visiting Akwa United were found to have been physically attacked by fans at the end of the match at the Pantanmi Stadium last Sunday.
The matched ended 1-1
In a summary jurisdiction notice issued to Gombe United, NPFL said its findings included that the Centre Referee, Bright Nwosu; Assistant Referee I, Abdullahi Indabawa; Assistant Referee II, Friday Abu Emeje; and the Fourth Official, Musa Hussainy Talle were assaulted by the club fans.
Gombe United were charged with breach of Rules B13.52, B13.18 and C1.1 of the NPFL Frameworks and Rules which arose from failure to provide adequate and effective security leading to access to unauthorised persons to restricted areas, throwing of objects by their supporters to match officials and the visiting team and assault on match officials at the end of the game.
In addition to the points deduction, NPFL also imposed a total fine of N3 million on the club, made up of N1 million each for failure to provide adequate and effective security, for throwing objects unto the field of play, and compensatory payments to the four match officials at N250,000 each.
The NPFL also issued an order closing the Pantami Stadium to fans of Gombe United for the next three home games.
Gombe United have 48 hours from the date of receipt of the sanctions to accept in writing to submit to the rulings or elect to face a disciplinary panel in accordance with Rule C26.
