Smart City FC Kicks, Faults NNL’s One Sided Decision In  Game Against Gateway United

TAIWO ADELU

The management of a Lagos-based football outfit, Smart City Football Club, has voiced out its disappoval over the decision of the Nigerian National League (NNL) to slam a fine of N3.5 million and points deduction on the club.

The NNL has alleged that fans of the Smart City FC violated the League rules by encroaching the pitch during a
Southern Conference, Group B2 Match Day 5 encounter with Gateway United on Sunday 16 April 2023 at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state.

The NNL says after a review of the reports and video evidence from its match officials and commissioners, the League body welded the big stick and slammed ₦3.5 million fine and a three-point including three goals deduction, banned supporters of Smart City from all NNL organized matches till the end of the season and warned the club that any further act of violence and assault, will lead to a complete withdrawal from the league.

A player of Gateway United (down) fainted during the match against Smart City FC at Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu Ode in one of their NNL match played on 16 April, 2023.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, Chairman/CEO of Smart City FC, Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka, wondered how his team playing on an away ground would cause violence when they have been so magnanimous and friendly to away teams at home in Lagos.

“The allegations are ridiculous with no substance,” said Adeboye, who is also the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Sports to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.

“At Onikan Stadium, which is our home ground, away teams do come to take points out of us, even we do lose matches and heaven won’t fall. That is the way we see football at Smart City FC. We know the rule of fair play. It’s disheartened to hear that it was we that now went on an away match to cause trouble.

“We always secure our home ground whenever we have outings because we know that it is the responsibility of the home team to ensure security before, during and after the game.

Player of Smart City FC in blue colour helping to revive a player of their opponents, Gateway United who fainted in the course of the match

“It was also saddened that there was allegation of violence leveled against us when we did not go to this match with our fans from Lagos. The NNL is now accusing us of an offence committed by a crowd of fans which naturally was from the home team.

“Where were the security agents put in place for the match by Gateway United and the Ogun State FA, and were there no arrest?

A car (instead of an ambulance) was being used to convey the player of Gateway United for medical attention outside the stadium.

“We all know what the rules say. Gateway United failed to adhere to the rule, they failed to put in place the least requirements expected for that league game. There was lapses in the security and medical arrangements. A player of the home team fainted during the match, we were so magnanimous to instruct our doctor to come to the rescue because we were not in Ijebu Ode for a do-or-die match. No ambulance on ground, no doctor, no medical facility even for first aid treatment.

“But the NNL, without due regard to fairness and transparency, singled us out for punishment of what we did not do. I think the authority is doing our league more damage than developing the system,” Adeboye, a seasoned sports administrator narrated.

P.M. EXPRESS understands that the Gateway vs. Smart City FC game was abandoned, and a replay date was fixed for 20 April with strict instruction that it must be played under closed door. But surprisingly, there were fans at Dipo Dina Stadium. Who allow fans inside the stadium?

Adeboye disclosed that Gateway officials prevented Smart City’s cameraman from gaining access to the stadium.

The chairman further revealed that the purported penalties handed down by the NNL have not been officially communicated to the management of Smart City FC, but the team have written a Save Our Soul (SOS) letter to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to, not only intervene in this case, but save the league from the looming danger because Nigerians are watching, adding that all effort should be made to develop and make the league attractive to the people.

What is being circulated in the social media was not the true position of what happened during the match, the management of Smart City FC insisted.

“We demand that Gateway United and the NNL bring to the world the authentic video of the match. No reason for the fine of N3.5m and the points deduction is out of place. We cannot suffer double jeopardy for what we did not do. The NFF should ensure that this one side decision of the NNL should not stand,” Adeboye concluded.