Nigerian football club, Enyimba International FC has been slammed with a N2.5 million fine for the unruly behaviour of its fans on the pitch
Enyimba fans on the pitch to celebrate the club's victory
The 2015 Nigerian league champions, Enyimba International FC and its Supporters Club have been fined over N2.5m for field encroachment and the disruption of the trophy presentation ceremony by its supporters.
The supporters have also been seriously reprimanded by the League Management Company (LMC) for their behavior in Aba and at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Match Day 38 of the 2014/15 Glo Premier League season, Complete Sports reports.
The Club was charged by the LMC for violation of article B13.18 of the Rules and Framework of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) citing repeated pitch invasions in Aba and Lagos.
It will be recalled that thousands of fans thronged the pitch while the LMC leadership and dignitaries were presenting the 2014/15 Glo Premier League trophy to winners, Enyimba International FC of Aba, causing a disruption in the schedule of the planned presentation ceremonies.
Last season at the Enyimba International Stadium, fans of Kano Pillars executed a similar pitch invasion when their club was to be presented the 2013/14 Glo Premier League season trophy and the club was fined N2m for the infraction.
The LMC says it would not condone such disruptive acts that deny sponsors and other stakeholders the marketing benefits and beauty of such well planned ceremonies.
In a Summary Jurisdiction notice issued to Enyimba FC, the LMC charged the Supporters Club for violating Article B13.18 of the rules and relying on Article B15.16 which provides that Clubs would be held responsible for the behavior of their fans fined Enyimba N500, 000 for the invasion of the Enyimba International Stadium pitch after they secured the trophy with a nil all draw against Warri Wolves on Match Day 37.
In the second charge of disruption of the trophy presentation ceremony on Match Day 38 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, the newly crowned Glo Premier League champions were fined N2, 000, 000 bringing the total to N2.5m.