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BREAKING: FIFA fines Nigeria N63m, ban local fans over pitch invasion at National stadium

FIFA fines Nigeria over stadium invasion

The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has imposed a sum of 150,000 Swiss, about NGN63,996,216.90 on Nigeria over a pitch invasion that occurred during the 2022 World Cup qualifying match with Ghana.

Nigeria was condemned out of the 2022 World Cup by Ghana on their home soil after a 1 – 1 draw, leading to the progression of Ghana through the aggregate.

Displeased by the result of the match, angry fans suspected to be hoodlums invaded the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja where the match held. They destroyed several facilities and caused various injuries to the public.

The world football ruling body in a statement on its official website detailed the reason for these sanctions as “order and security at matches (failure to implement existing safety rules and failure to ensure that law and order are maintained in the stadium, invasion of the field of play and throwing of objects”.

FIFA proceeded by imposing fines on Nigeria and also compelled the country to play a match without spectators.

“In line with FIFA’s zero-tolerance stance against discrimination and violence in football, a number of member associations have been punished due to the abusive behaviour by their respective supporters,” the communique read.

A fine of 150,000 Swiss Franc (N63,996,216.90) was imposed on the country.

Apart from the 150,000 CHF fine, Nigeria will also play its next home match without fans.

Last month, the Senate invited the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare; NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, and other agencies involved in the maintenance of the MKO Abiola Stadium to determine the extent of the damage to facilities at the national arena.

The lawmakers had also instructed the Senate Committee on Sports and Youth Development to investigate the remote and immediate causes of Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup in spite of the huge fund by the government, individuals, and corporate bodies.

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