NPFL: NFF dents Enyimba’s title hopes over Doma United saga hours after naming Finidi as Super Eagles coach

The Nigeria Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee has penalized Enyimba FC for their ugly role during their NPFL clash with Doma United FC at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba, Abia State on March 10th, Soccernet.ng reports

In that encounter, Enyimba were held to a goalless draw for 88 minutes before the game was marred by a pivotal moment of disruption following a disputed goal.

Enyimba found the net through Chijioke Mbaoma, but the assistant referee raised the offside flag, prompting the referee to nullify the goal.

Subsequent events unfolded in a frenzy of chaos.

A restart saw Doma United FC’s goalkeeper executing an indirect free kick. Yet, the resumption of play was interrupted by a bold incursion onto the field by Enyimba FC players and officials, who accosted the referee.

The situation escalated as home team supporters breached the sanctity of the pitch, forcing the referee to an Outside Broadcasting Van (OB van) stationed outside the stadium.

Within the confines of the OB van, amidst a cacophony of voices and external pressure, the referee succumbed to coercion, retracting his initial offside ruling.

In a candid admission before the Disciplinary Committee, the referee conceded to yielding to external influences, citing fear for his safety amidst the pervasive presence of Enyimba FC personnel and hoodlums.

The referee’s actions, including leaving the pitch to review match proceedings in the OB van, were deemed irregular and in violation of established protocol.

The subsequent deliberations of the Disciplinary Committee yielded a decisive verdict. The referee was censured for contravening FIFA/IFAB Laws of the Game by altering a decision post-restart.

The committee also reprimanded the Match Commissioner for a lapse in oversight during the tumultuous 88th-minute period.

Following the tumultuous events, the committee upheld the NPFL’s ruling, maintaining that the match ended in a goalless draw.

As a result, the three points awarded to Enyimba were reduced to one, while Doma United’s fortunes changed from zero to one point.

The points deduction means Enyimba stumbled from second on the NPFL table to third with 53 points, four below leaders Rangers International FC.

Interestingly, the Disciplinary Committee’s hard stance on Enyimba comes a few hours after the NFF appointed the club’s gaffer, Finidi George, as the head coach of the Super Eagles.

Finidi led Enyimba to a record ninth NPFL title last year and was assistant coach to Jose Peseiro, who guided Nigeria to a second-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.

The NFF is, however, yet to clarify whether Finidi will retain his job with Enyimba while handling the national team.