Ahead of Saturday’s kick-off of the 2023/2024 Nigeria National League (NNL) season, the league’s board has warned the 40 participating football clubs and their supporters against acts of violence during matches or risk sanction.
Mr George Aluo, Chairman of the NNL board gave the warning during a press conference on Friday in Lafia, Nasarawa State, ahead of the season’s opening match on Saturday between Nasarawa United Football club and Zamfara United Football club at the Lafia Township stadium.
He appealed to all fans to always come out and support their teams and remain law abiding throughout the period of the game.
“Football is all about friendship and not war, as such, no club should want to win by all means and resort to violence when the scoreline is not in their favour.
“What we want to see is good officiating from the first match to the last and clubs winning clean games.
“We will not hesitate to invoke sanction on any club or persons that bring or want to bring the games to disrupt.
“We want to have a league that Nigerians will be proud of, attract corporate sponsors and be on the television,” he said
The chairman said the board would ensure that all the participating clubs in the league enjoyed a level playing field in line with global best practice in football throughout the competition.
Aluo expressed gratitude to Nasarawa State Government for accepting to host the opening ceremony and for giving the Lafia Township Stadium a facelift.
Also, Mr Chidi Okwonkwo, President of NNL club owners, assured that all the clubs were ready and would abide by the rules governing the competition.
In his remarks, Mr Isaac Danladi, Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, who represented the state government, thanked the management of the board for the choice of the state for opening match.
He assured the board that all arrangements had been concluded to ensure a hitch-free football match on Saturday. (NAN). READ ALSO
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