NPFL: Referees injured from attack in league match between Sunshine Stars, Kano Pillars

Again in the Nigerian Professional Football League referees were attacked

Match referees suffered attacks in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match between Sunshine stars and Kano Pillars.

The NPFL matchday eight game at Akure between Sunshine and Pillars ended in a goalless draw at full time, However reports and photo's show the referees in cuts and bruises after the game.

 

According to reports, the Akure supporters were frustrated to a draw at home, and were not impressed with the officials display and made their intentions known after the encounter.

At first there were reports of crowd trouble, and allegations that the referees were beaten, however reports from the Sunshine camp have dismissed the rumours of the referees beaten by the fans, as there were the necessary law enforcement agents at the venue.

 

Chris Okunnuwa who is Sunshine Stars media officer, said

“Honestly the referees were not attacked or assaulted physically, there was no way that would have happened due to the heavy security presence on ground at the stadium.

“I can confirm a water object was thrown from the crowd towards the officials on their way to the dressing room after the game and that could have caught the injured official. I know the club won’t shy away from taken responsibility for this."

 

The referees for the encounter were Damian Akure as the center referee, Emmanuel Apine as the first assistant referee, Lewis Gwantana as the second assistant referee, and Kenneth Onyiro as the fourth official.

 

There has been  no official statement from the League management Company (LMC), as we await a full investigation and possible disciplinary actions.

posted by Campus94