There was a show of shame in the round of 16 fixture of President Federation Cup between Nasarawa United and Bayelsa United held at Ayangba, Kogi State wherein an alleged fielding of Ineligible players from the Solid Miners was noticeable and up till now, NFF has not come out clean on any verdict.
In full compliance to the rules of this year President Federation cup given to all participating clubs which says “No players registered in the second stanza of the Nigeria Premier Football League ,NPFL or NNL would be allowed to play in the President Federation Cup and this rule was used to the fullest against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan in a round of 32 fixture against Zamfara United which got them evicted from the competition even when the opposing team failed to honour the game in Abuja. Painfully, the team that spent their resources and risked their lives were sent parking from the competition without any protest from their opponents.
According to the information gathered in a match between Nasarawa United and Bayelsa United, Solomon Chigozie who played for Kwara United in the first stanza of the league was also seen playing for Nasarawa United against Bayelsa which is contrary to the Rule Book.of President Federation Cup. In fact, the stakeholders were surprised to watch him play expecting quick verdict from the NFF just like they did against Shooting Stars.
For avoidance of doubt, here is Nasarawa United Mid-season acquisitions who are not expected to participate in the President Federation Cup According to the rules of the game:
- Central defender, Benson Abbey who joined us from Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan.
- Left back, Peace Dewan formerly of Sunshine Stars of Akure.
- Attacking Midfielder, Abubakar Aliyu previously with Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan.
- Central Midfielder, Solomon Chigozie from Kwara United FC of Ilorin.
- Winger, Peter Eneji, who rejoined from Busaiteen FC of Bahrain.
- Centre forward, Ugochukwu Leonard who relinked up from Heartland FC of Owerri.
- Winger, Benjamin Jack, from Golden Boot FC of Benin Republic, and
- Winger, Onyema Emmanuel, who arrived from Ikorodu City FC of Lagos.
FIFA’s regulations about fielding of Ineligible player is clear. It states that “felding an ineligible player can result in disciplinary action, including point deductions or match forfeiture. This is what the stakeholders have been eagerly awaiting. This is to avoid the embarrassing impact in the football community in form of precedence.
Big kudos to the organizers of football event of NDDC Sports Festival wherein Akwa Ibom state fielded an Ineligible player at the Semi final against Imo State and the former were dropped to the 3rd place while the losing side, Imo state qualified for the final. The same scenario played down against Nigeria in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers where Shehu Abdullahi was fielding against Algeria after receiving accumulated yellow cards that made him Ineligible to play for the Super Eagles. Expectedly, 3 points were not only deducted, a fine of CHF 6,000(about $6,045.30) was imposed on the Nigeria.
Why would the NFF spare Nasarawa United while a Southern team had already been evicted on the same reason.Why is selective justice noticeable in the President Federation Cup? These are many questions begging for answer as the stakeholders await the NFF to act in line with the rules of the game so as to serve as deterrent to others.
He who comes to equity comes with clean hands. President Federation Cup must not be allowed to die a natural death on the ground of selective justice.
I so submit.