The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has handed down severe sanctions to Bendel Insurance following an incident involving the assault of match officials during their recent home loss against Kano Pillars.
The Benin Arsenal fell to a 0-1 home loss against the Sai Masu Gida at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Saturday, November 9th, in Matchday 11. The team conceded a late penalty which was converted from the spot by Rabiu Alli in 90+8 minutes.
After the game, there were reports of match officials being attacked by some fans. “Bendel Insurance failed to provide adequate & effective security leading to unauthorized persons gaining access to restricted areas to attack the match officials,” the NPFL statement read.
In response to the misconduct, the league has imposed a deduction of 3 points and 3 goals from Bendel Insurance’s accumulated season tally.
Also, the club has been fined 2 million naira for failing to provide adequate security measures and for its inability to ensure proper conduct from fans during the match.
The penalties did not stop there. Another punishment includes the requirement for Bendel Insurance to play their next three home games behind closed doors at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, meaning no fans will be present for their matches against Kwara United, Plateau United, and Lobi Stars.
Bendel Insurance will also pay a 1 million naira fine for actions deemed capable of bringing the game into disrepute, reflecting the league’s commitment to upholding sportsmanship and discipline within Nigerian football.
In a further measure, the NPFL has imposed a compensation fee of 750,000 naira, to be paid to the assaulted match officials — Adeniyi Adewale, Anuoluwapo Balogun, and Sodiq Sonibare — amounting to 250,000 naira each.
This means Bendel Insurance rocks the bottom of the NPFL table with only nine points and a -5 goal difference.