The ban on the Samson Siasia Stadium in Bayelsa State, has been lifted by the Nigeria Football Federation’s disciplinary committee on NPFL matters.
The disciplinary committee who sat on three cases at the NFF headquarters in Abuja resolved to open the stadium for football activities henceforth.
In the case of Nayelsa United and Doma United, the Committee found that Bayelsa United FC failed to provide adequate security for the match officials in the match Bayelsa United FC Vs Doma United FC in breach of Rule B.8. 21 of the Framework and Rules of the NPFL.
An that it was established that there was an assault on the Assistant Referee II, Mr. Ojeleye Ebenezer in breach of Rule. C.11 of the Framework and Rules of the NPFL.
Bayelsa United FC failed to restrict access by unauthorised persons to all restricted areas in breach of Rule B.13.52. the Framework and Rules of the NPFL.
Evidene tendered by Nayelsa United include, a receipt of payment for logistics in the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N250,000.00) only to Bayelsa State FA; and Police investigation report.
In view of the above findings, the Committee decides as follows: That the tendering of receipt of payment for “LOGISTICS” by Bayelsa United FC to Bayelsa State Football Association is not sufficient evidence to establish proof of provision of adequate security for match officials as required in Rule 8.21 of the Framework and Rules of the NPFL which clearly states that “The Match Officials shall be given adequate security before, during, and after a match, notwithstanding the result of the match”.
That the Committee affirms Paragraph 2 of the findings of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) as contained in the Summary Jurisdiction Notice, Form 16, that Bayelsa United FC is in breach of Rule C.11 of the RFN, Premier Football League by assaulting the match official, Assistant Referee II, one, Ojeleye Ebenezer.
The Committee affirmed Paragraph 3 of the findings of the IMC as contained in the Summary Jurisdiction Notice, Form 16, that Bayelsa United FC failed to ensure restriction of access by unauthorised persons to all restricted areas, which resulted in the assault of a match official.
The NFF Disciplinary Committee also adopted the sanctions in the Summary Jurisdiction Notice of the IMC dated 2nd February, 2023 with respect to match day 5 2022- 2023 Season involving Bayelsa United FC Vs. Doma United FC, in paragraphs (a) – (e) of their decision.
That the ban imposed on Mr. Joseph Zidogha (a.k.a. One-Man Riot) from all NPFL related activities for a period of one year is hereby extended to include ban from all NFF and NPFL related activities for a period of two years.
That the Order closing the Samson Siasia Stadium to fans indefinitely is hereby lifted.
