One of the topical issues in Nigerian football at the moment is the shameful and disgusting behaviour of Bendel Insurance and Gombe United at the just concluded Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 play-off in Enugu.
Both clubs were involved in acts of hooliganism following decisions taken by officials who handled their opening matches. As a matter of fact, Gombe United’s show of shame happened on Thursday, September 9, the day the competition began.
In their opening clash with El-Kanemi Warriors, Gombe United challenged the decision of the referee in a disgraceful and unsporting manner. Soon after El-Kanemi Warriors scored, the ‘Desert Scorpions’ made serious attempts to assault the referee and the match commissioner over what they considered to be an unfavourable decision.
With caution thrown to the dogs, fans and officials of Gombe United ran into the field and held up the game to the surprise of many, including very important sports personalities who attended the opening ceremony at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International stadium, Enugu.
Expectedly, the league organisers immediately issued a statement to express displeasure over the barbaric act which they said had brought the game to disrepute.
In addition to the fine of N500,000, the organisers directed Gombe United to, as a matter of urgency, identify members of their supporters and officials who played major roles in the crisis.
There were further threats that if the culprits were not brought before the authorities for punishment, there would be a ban on the Gombe United supporters present in Enugu.
Unfortunately, the show of shame staged by Gombe United continued the following day. Bendel Insurance, one of the oldest clubs in Nigerian football, took their turn to bring the league to disrepute. In a similar style, their supporters assaulted referees at the end of regulation time in the match against Ekiti United on September 10.
Consequently, NNL again directed that Bendel Insurance should pay a N1m fine within 12 hours and also reveal the identities of their irate fans who had attacked the match officials.
In the two ugly incidents, what saved the referees from the blood thirsty hooligans was their physical fitness. Before the arrival of security personnel, the referees were left with no option than to run for their dear lives.
The football arbiters didn’t disappoint anyone as they showed by the speed with which they evaded their attackers that if they were at the just concluded Tokyo Olympics, they could have easily won medals in the sprints for Team Nigeria.
Considering the magnitude of the offences committed by the two clubs, most observers of the disdainful acts felt more severe sanctions could have been meted out to them. However, one is not even sure if the light fines imposed on the two clubs were paid.
The organisers announced to the whole world that the two erring clubs were fined but nobody can say for sure that the offenders complied. Well, it was something to do with money and most of us know how transparently intransparent some of these people can be with money.
Secondly, those who felt harsher sanctions like banishment of the two clubs from the Super 8 play-off would have served as a deterrent to others must have been terribly disappointed because the lawbreakers stayed and competed to the end.
At the end of the day, one of the clubs, Gombe United picked a ticket to return to the Nigerian topflight. But fortunately or unfortunately, it all depends on how you view the situation, Bendel Insurance failed to return to the NPFL.
Maybe those of us who were offended by the clubs’ acts of hooliganism would heave a sigh of relief now that one of the delinquents won’t be coming to the NPFL so soon to add to the existing problem.
We already have clubs that rarely end any NPFL season without committing acts of hooliganism. If you like, mention clubs like Kano Pillars, Plateau United, Katsina United and Wikki Tourists and you won’t be wrong.
So, we don’t need any additions to this ignominious list. Therefore, newly promoted Gombe United should as a matter of urgency, inculcate into their fanatical fans the spirit of fair play.
The same advice goes for Remo Stars who unleashed mayhem on Bendel Insurance on Sunday, June 6 after their NNL fixture in Ijebu-Ode. In fact, the ill-tempered NNL Super 8 final group match between the two clubs was an extension of that bloody clash in the regular season.
Again, fortunately or unfortunately, Remo Stars have gained promotion back to the NPFL. They also must be watched closely.
Against this background, it is imperative to advise that those in charge of football administration in Nigeria must not shy away from dealing decisively with clubs that perpetrate acts of hooliganism.
Hooligans who masquerade as football fans shouldn’t be allowed to taint the beautiful game.
