Anambra Independent League Slams Club Proprietor For Inciting Players
The Anambra Independent Football League (AIFL) has ratified the 3-match day suspension and N10, 000 penalty slammed on Ikenna Osueke, Proprietor of Ozalla FA, Onitsha for directing his players to abandon Wk9 match against World FA, Nanka.
This was contained in a communiqué made available to journalists as part of the resolutions made at the end of AIFL Season 5 mid season congress at Fidesplex, Okpuno, Awka.
The Communiqué was signed by Rev. Fr Coach Obinna Dike and Godsent Eriobu, chairman and secretary respectively of AIFL.
The AIFL regretted that in spite the willingness of the player to proceed with the match after the misunderstanding, the owner of the club insisted that they walk out of the pitch.
On the assault on match officials in Week 9 match at Umunze on March 5, by Ozalla FA owner, Ikenna Osueke, the AIFL upheld the automatic sanction according to AIFL Season 5 rules and regulations of fine of N10, 000 and 3-match day suspension.
“After holistically review of the incident the AIFL Council found out that actually the Ozalla Players wanted to complete the match but had to succumb to their owner’s command despite several appeals to him to rescind the decision.
“The Council therefore considered a plea in consideration of the players by deducting six points only from Ozalla FA in the current campaign, with an option of N100,000 fine, the three points was awarded to World FA Nanka for the match against Ozalla,” it stated.
AIFL commended the 10 clubs participating in the league for their top quality games in the first stanza as well as appreciated the host centres every partner that contributed to the success achieved so far.
The league management however expressed worry over the quality of some referees which they said would not be tolerated in the second stanza while giving teams approval to make independent appraisal of officials.
“The Council noted with consternation the below par performance of some referees in the league and urged the match coordinator to liaise with the state referees council to punish affected referees according to their statutes.
“It was such poor performance from some referees that triggered the week nine altercations, AIFL therefore approves each team’s independent assessment of referees in all games.
“Referees who have more mentions in good performance will be suggested for adoption as AIFL referees to the referees council,” it stated.
AIFL approved the closure of mid season window on April 11 and the April 16 for resumption of league hostilities.
