Society Gists

Billionaire business man, Ifeanyi Ubah, faces sanctions for his role in the violence that erupted during a Nigeria Premier League game between his club, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, and Heartland FC.

The League Management Company said it would review the sanctions earlier meted out against Ubah and Heartland goalkeeper, Ebele Obi, after a video showed more details of the roles played by the two actors.

The LMC had on Wednesday handed down sanctions to all parties involved, although many viewed the sanctions against Ubah as not being severe.

In the earlier sanction, FC Ifeanyi Ubah was “charged for the encroachment of their supporters on the technical area immediately after the match against Heartland and acting in a manner capable of bringing the league to disrepute contrary to Rule 13.8 of the Rules and Framework”.

The club was also sanctioned for failure to ensure adequate security, crowd control and for granting access to unauthorized persons to restricted areas, contrary to Rule B13.52.

FC IfeanyiUbah was accordingly fined N500, 000 on each of the two breaches and allowed 48 hours to appeal the ruling in writing or submit to the decision of the LMC’.

The chairman of the club, Ifeanyi Ubah, was only reprimanded by the LMC for failing to show positive example by encroaching on the pitch and fueling the disturbances, leading to the harassment of players of Heartland by his team members and personal aides.

Heartland goalkeeper was banned from all NPFL activities and matches for six matches.

But with the emergence of the video evidence, the league body has said it would review the sanctions.

The video showed that Ubah actually slapped the Heartland goalkeeper, and many Nigerians are keen to see the punishment that will be meted against the businessman.