The Nigeria Football Federation has come down heavily on Super Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, as they Saturday slammed a $5,000 (about N1m fine) on the SS Lazio midfielder for his despicable act in last weekend’s AFCON qualifying match against Chad.
Onazi was given a straight red card for retaliation in the game in
Kaduna.
The NFF, in a statement, said aside the fine, Onazi is also expected to produce a written apology for his action.
In a letter signed by Tunde Aderibigbe on behalf of the General Secretary and dated June 19, the NFF wrote:
“The Board of the Nigeria Football Federation has viewed your behavior and conduct during the Nigeria/Chad match as tantamount to gross indiscipline and unprofessional, which undermined the discipline of the team in its totality and a breach of ethics for players as well as the Code of Conduct for players and officials.
“Consequently, the NFF, having reviewed the situation, hereby impose a fine of $5,000 (Five Thousand American Dollars Only) on you as well as a written apology. We believe that subsequently you will be of good behavior and conduct, for a repeat of this behavior shall earn you even stiffer punishment.
“We hope that this action shall serve as deterrent to others in our future engagements.
Onazi had apologized after the match in Kaduna, nonetheless, he was slammed a two-match ban that will see him miss the away game in Tanzania and the home tie against Egypt.
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