90-minute hostage disaster unsettling, says AigbovoThe administration of the Nigeria Premier Soccer League (NPFL) continues to be ready for the match commissioner’s report back to resolve the culprits and applicable punishment for these behind the fracas that marred the Week 32 league match between the house workforce, Capturing Stars Sports activities Membership (3SC) of Ibadan and Ikorodu Metropolis of Lagos.
The sport led to a goalless draw on the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, however gamers and officers of Ikorodu Metropolis have been allegedly held hostage by 3SC followers irked by the setback the draw brought on their workforce’s continental ambition.
3SC are presently fourth on the NPFL desk behind leaders Remo Stars, Rivers United, and Abia Warriors.
Though the CAF Champions League is sort of out of their every following the commanding positions held by Remo Stars and Rivers United, who’re on 60 and 55 factors respectively, 3SC can nonetheless overtake Abia Warriors for the CAF Confederation Cup as solely two factors separate either side.
Abia Warriors are on 50 factors, whereas 3SC have 48 factors. Ikorodu Metropolis even have an outdoor probability of qualifying for the continent as they’ve 46 factors with 4 matches to go.
In line with stories, a number of of the gamers sustained numerous types of harm, whereas those that may, scaled fences to run for his or her lives. It added that Ikorodu Metropolis’s workforce bus was broken, whereas the match referee was manhandled.
A high NPFL official, who pleaded anonymity, informed The Guardian that the physique can be higher knowledgeable by the match commissioner’s report as a result of he was current and witnessed all the pieces that occurred.
“All we’ve got of the incident are social media stories, which we can’t depend on to resolve the true scenario of issues.
“Be assured that the NPFL will do the precise factor as stipulated by the legal guidelines governing the competitors,” the official mentioned.
Former Tremendous Eagles goalkeeper and member of the 3SC squad that received the maiden CAF Cup in 1992, David Aigbovo, described the incident as a ‘present of disgrace,’ saying that Sunday’s violence not solely endangered the lives of gamers, officers, and followers but additionally undermined the integrity of the league and broken Nigeria’s fame within the worldwide soccer group.
Aigbovo queried: “Is it by power {that a} membership should win all its house matches? What occurred on Sunday was unhappy for the Nigeria league. It exhibits that many followers supporting golf equipment within the nation are leaving up to now. I stay one of many greatest followers of 3SC, having spent a part of my life taking part in for the membership. However that doesn’t imply that I needs to be anticipating the membership to win all its house matches even when the membership didn’t do effectively. In soccer, you win some and lose some. That’s the reason it’s known as league matches.”
Certainly one of Ikorodu Metropolis’s administrators, Suleiman Adebayo, who spoke with journalists described Sunday’s incident as ‘hell,’ saying, “Our followers and officers have been held hostage by 3SC followers from 7.30 p.m. when the sport ended until about 9.00 p.m.
“Troopers needed to rescue them from Ibadan after the draw with Capturing Stars. Thank God for security. It was hell.”
The Guardian learnt that after the sport, the policemen on the stadium suggested Ikorodu Metropolis FC to remain within the dressing room until the scenario was introduced underneath management. In a dramatic flip, troopers needed to storm the stadium, bringing an finish to a tense 90-minute hostage scenario. The swift army response ensured the protected rescue of the workforce, assuaging issues for his or her well-being.
