The Rivers State Government, owners of the Rivers United
Football Club has rejected the final report of the Nigeria Football Federation
that endorsed the decision of the League Management Company to place rivals,
Enyimba, ahead of them in the final standings of the 19/20 Nigeria Professional
Football League table.
The State Commissioner for Sports, Boma Iyaye, expressed his
dissatisfaction when he received the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria,
Rivers Chapter at his office in Port Harcourt.
“This is a clear case of injustice and undue victimization,”
Iyaye said. He stated that their stand has always been clear. Rather than using
an inconclusive head-to-head to separate the two teams who are tied on the same
points, that the rules guiding the NPFL stated that goal difference shall be
the first option to be used in separating teams in such situation, followed by
higher goals scored and lastly head-to-head.
Iyaye stated that they [the government and the club] are only
against the selective application of those rules. He called on the Minister of
Sports, Sunday Dare to ensure that justice is dispensed at a free and fair
manner.
“In the light of this development, the Rivers State
Government, sponsors of Rivers United Football Club, is compelled to seek the
proper interpretation of the applicable rules, and a pronouncement on the
propriety or otherwise of the actions and decisions of the LMC on the matter,
from the Court of Arbitration for Sports,” Iyaye added.
Post a Comment
Write a Comment