National League: Abia Comets appeal to board over sanctions

The club was banned following the molestation of match officials at one of its matches.

Abia Comets FC on Thursday said it had appealed to the Board of the Nigeria National League, NNL, to review the fine and indefinite ban imposed on the club and its secretary.

The NNL is the second-tier male football league in Nigeria.

The NNL on March 7 fined the club N200,000 for misconduct and placed an indefinite ban on the Secretary, Jude Agbara.
The sanction followed molestation of match officials during the 1-1 home game against Prime FC of Osogbo in Week 4.
Coach Victor Nwakanma said in Abuja that although the team had appealed the decision, it would comply with the NNL’s sanctions.

“Our appeal is for the NNL to review the fine and the indefinite ban on the team’s secretary. The NNL have already given its verdict. Before you start playing the league, you must abide by the rules and regulations of the season.

“What do you want us to do? They have made their decision already; but we are pleading for them to reduce the punishment on the secretary. We are still begging them to also reduce the fine and if they do not, we cannot do anything than to comply, I am leaving everything to God,” the coach said.

On the transfer window which opens on March 24, Mr. Nwakanma acknowledged that the team may lose some of its players to bigger clubs.

He, however, said the loss would not pose any challenge to the team as it had quality replacement for such players.

“If care is not taken we may lose one or three of our players to bigger clubs during the transfer window; but in this club, we have feeders. We have very good replacement. We are not going to source for new players, if any player wants to join the team, he should come over. The player will be trained and accepted, if he is good,” the coach said.