The Management of Kogi United FC have tender an unreserved apology to the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF and other stakeholders of football for the unfortunate incident that occurred during the club’s Aiteo Cup First Round clash against Rangers Int’l on Wednesday in Lokoja.
The club have strongly condemned the “shameful” behaviour of some supporters after crowd trouble erupted following a controversial penalty awarded to Rangers in the 77th minutes with Kogi United leading 2-1 in the grueling encounter at the Confluence Stadium.
The NFF fumed at the avoidable situation, blaming the Kogi United, Kogi State Football Association for the crisis and ruled that the match points be awarded to Rangers which has seen them qualified to the next round of the oldest football competition in the country.
Kogi United were also fined #1.5m for series of offenses, suspended from participating in the next two editions of the Cup competition and its Chairmam, Abdul Sule was also suspended from Aiteo Cup till the end of the competition.
The club’s supporters chairman Maikudi Kanin-Bala was also suspended from any football related competitions for two years for his untoward behavior during the match.
In a statement signed by the club’s chairman, Abdul Sule, it regretted the incident which could have been averted just as he reiterated that Kogi United will continue to promote peace and spirit of sportsmanship.
While calling on relevant stakeholders to join hands in campaign against hooliganism in football, it added that the club would organize a sensitization program for supporters, fans and spectators on how to forestall future occurrence of the crisis.
“On behalf of Kogi United and the entire football families in Kogi State, we want to apologize for the incident that occurred in our last Aiteo Cup First Round match against Rangers Int’l.
“We want to state clear that Kogi United and its family is a peaceful club, law abiding and will continue to promote spirit of sportsmanship in all our games.
“We have a track record of discipline in our matches in Lokoja and that has made other clubs using the Confluence Stadium as their home grounds.
“It’s imperative that we all work together to try and salvage what is left of our reputation.
“We accept the decision of the football ruling body and we will continue to promote peace among the Football family in the state,” the statement read.
