Fans banned for 1 year, 3 points, 3 goals deducted as NNL sanction Yobe Desert Stars

Fans banned for 1 year, 3 points, 3 goals deducted as NNL sanction Yobe Desert Stars

Jidechi Chidiezie 16:21 - 11.05.2023

They become the second side in Nigeria's second division, after Smart City, to suffer a points/goals deduction following an assault on match officials.

Following a reported assault on match officials in their game against DMD FC, the Nigeria National League have sanctioned the deduction of three points and three goals from Yobe Desert Stars.

They become the second side in Nigeria's second division, after Smart City, to suffer a points/goals deduction following an assault on match officials.

Supporters of Yobe Desert Stars violently protest red card

According to verified reports, the centre referee for the Northern Conference Group A4 fixture between Yobe Desert Stars and DMD FC had been attacked during the game during the Week 6 fixture at the August 27 Stadium in Damaturu, on Sunday, May 7, 2023.

The August 27 Stadium in Damaturu plays host to Yobe Desert Stars in the NNL
The August 27 Stadium in Damaturu plays host to Yobe Desert Stars in the NNL

Supporters of Yobe Desert Stars had encroached the pick to attack the centre referee and his assistants after a second yellow card (and subsequently a red card) had been issued to the club's captain Barnabas Ingya.

Assault on the match official by alleged supporters of Yobe Desert Stars left him a tooth short and eventually hospitalized with the game abruptly ended in the 84th minute.

NNL hand sanctions to Yobe Desert Stars

According to the league management, the fans of the Northern Conference Group A4 side will now be barred from watching their team play for a year, as announced in a 7-point sanction on Thursday.

  • 1. Yobe Desert Stars will pay the sum of N1 million for assaults meted on the referees. 
  • 2. Yobe Desert Stars will pay the sum of N1 million for encroachment by their fans which disrupted the match proceedings. 
  • 3. Another N500,000 (Five hundred thousand Naira) is to foot the medical bills of the referees. 
  • 4. Another N500,000 (Five hundred thousand Naira) will serve as a replacement for lost items of the match officials. 
  • 5. The supporters of Yobe Desert Stars are placed on a one-year ban from all activities of NNL. 
  • 6. The next three home matches of Yobe Desert Stars will be played strictly, behind closed doors. 
  • 7. Mr. Abubakar Ago, Acting Chairman of Yobe Desert Stars is to stay away from activities of NNL for one year, for the infamous and inglorious roles he blamed in the unfortunate incident.
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