NPFL: Enyimba Risks Another Points Deduction in NPFL Following Chaos At Rangers, Video Trends

NPFL: Enyimba Risks Another Points Deduction in NPFL Following Chaos At Rangers, Video Trends

  • The NPFL contest between Enugu Rangers and Enyimba ended in total confusion on Sunday, June 9
  • With the game still goalless in added time, centre referee John Ojeleye awarded Rangers a penalty but fans invaded the pitch in protest, leaving the game abandoned
  • Legit.ng reports that Rangers are on 62 points while Enyimba are currently second with 60 points

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering sports and football in Nigeria and worldwide.

Enugu, Enugu - The Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) may deduct points from Enyimba of Aba, which could hamper their quest to retain the league title.

Legit.ng reports that this follows an incident in their NPFL game against Enugu Rangers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, popularly called 'The Cathedral', on Sunday, June 9.

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Rangers vs Enyimba: Fans invade pitch to force match to be abandoned after late penalty
Enugu Rangers vs Enyimba match was abandoned deep into stoppage time as a result of the fans' invasion. Photo credit: @Rangers_Intl
Source: Twitter

Confusion during Enugu Rangers vs Enyimba game

Chaos ensued in added time after the referee awarded a penalty to the home side, Rangers.

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Although online videos show the referee was right with his call after an Enyimba player appeared to pull back a Rangers player who wanted to aim at the goal, players of the Aba-based side disagreed and fiercely confronted the match officials.

Subsequently, the well-attended match degenerated into complete pandemonium as many spectators encroached on the pitch while the visiting team players staged a walkout.

Legit.ng recalls that in May, the NPFL deducted two points from Enyimba's tally.

Enyimba suffered the points deduction due to an incident in their NPFL game against Doma United at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba on March 10, 2024.

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During the said game, Enyimba and their visitors played a goalless draw in the first half until the 88th minute. In the 89th minute, Victor Mbaoma scored the match-winner, to the excitement of the home fans.

Before he scored the match-winner, the assistant referee had raised his flag for offside.

After the referee consulted the assistant referee, who raised his flag for offside, he agreed that the goal was scored in an offside position.

However, there was unrest because the referee used unconventional methods to review the goal.

He allegedly called a broadcast van stationed outside the stadium for the review. Hence, the goal stood as Enyimba recorded a 1-0 win over Doma United, a decision seen as a way to calm the tension at the stadium.

The NFF disciplinary committee ruled that the game was disrupted at 0-0 and that the goal was offside. Hence, the match was recorded as a 0-0 draw for the two clubs.

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Elumelu set to buy football club

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that following conversations with Senator John Owan Enoh, the minister of sports development, Nigerian billionaire Tony Elumelu indicated an interest in buying a club in the NPFL.

The 61-year-old Nigerian economist and philanthropist, who chairs United Bank for Africa (UBA), Transcorp, and Heirs Holdings, alluded to this possibility when the topic of private club ownership in Nigeria arose.

Proofreading by James Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Ridwan Adeola avatar

Ridwan Adeola (Current Affairs Editor) Ridwan Adeola Yusuf is a Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng and a certified journalist with over 9 years of experience. He edited Politics Nigeria's articles, was the Acting Editor of AllNews Nigeria and Fact-Checking Researcher (Africa Check). He received his HND in Mass Communication from The Polytechnic Ibadan. He received a Certificate of Achievement (Journalism Clinic’s Fix The Leak masterclass, 2021) and also completed Google News Initiative's Advance digital reporting curriculum. Contact him at ridwan.adeola@corp.legit.ng.

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