The Organizing and Disciplinary Committee, O&D, of the Nigeria Football Federation has banned for life all four clubs, owners and officials involved in the 146 goals score line that has rocked the nation and attracting the attention of world football governing body, FIFA.
Speaking during a media briefing on Monday, 1st Vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Chief Mike Umeh decried the incident, saying it was embarrassing to the nation hence the strong stance the committee is taking.
The Chairman of the NFF Organising Committee, Mike Umeh, who is also NFF 1st Vice President, was still visibly shaken by the incident alarmed when informed and promptly directed that the four teams at the center of the scandal be grounded, pending further sanctions on all involved.
“It is unacceptable. This is a scandal of huge proportions. After thorough investigations, it has been discovered that all four clubs deliberately engaged in the fraud.
“We had invited all four clubs but only Aruba FC and Plateau United Feeders showed up. It was no doubt a fraudulent conspiracy among the teams. The winners were desperate to win while the losers were also desperate to lose.
“We are recommending the immediate ban of all four clubs for a period of ten years. The Captain of Aruba FC, deliberately scored two own goals will also serve his life ban.
“Similarly, the match commissioners and officials have been banned for life for their part in this show of shame,” Umeh disclosed.
Club owners and their administrative staff were also not spared by the Disciplinary Committee as they all got life bans.
“We are also recommending the life ban of the owners of the four clubs: Plateau United Feeders, Akurba FC, Police Machine and Babayaro FC for their part in the scam.
“In the same vein, we are recommending sanctions for Nationwide League Board Member, Mr Tanko Bawa because he was found wanting in the whole drama but we are leaving his case to be decide by his board,” Umeh explained.
Also fielding questions from journalists concerning the efficacy of the life ban, Umeh said it would not be business as usual as all the names of the culprits would be published and given to the appropriate authorities for enforcement.
“This life ban would not be like others because we are going to publish the names of all the culprits together with their pictures. We will scan all their details and give it to all the leagues. The country was really embarrassed by this so we are taking very seriously and will spare no resource to take it to the latter,” Umeh concluded.
In a mind-boggling show, never previously witnessed in Nigeria football, Plateau United Feeders somehow manufactured a 79-0 victory over Akurba FC while Police Machine FC demolished Babayaro FC 67-0.
All teams were involved in promotion play-offs in which the winners would qualify to play in Nigeria Nationwide League Division 3.
Before this incidence, Ghanaian clubs had the record of such scandalous goals but they did not score more than 25 goals.
