WorldStage Newsonline-- The hammer of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) has descended on Lobi Stars of Makurdi and Sharks of Port Harcourt following the unruly conduct of their home fans during league matches at the weekend.

According to the Acting Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Premier League, Tunji Babalola, Lobi was fined N400, 000 for allowing its fans to attack the Assistant Referee 1 and Fourth Referee shortly after the 1st half in match against Akwa United of Uyo at the Katsina Ala Stadium.

In line with Article 5.8 of the Rules and Regulation, the payment is expected to be made before Lobi’s next home match.

The Secretariat also expressed worry over what it described as unnecessary harassment of match officials during the match involving Sharks and Warri Wolves in Port Harcourt where, precisely at the 89th minute, supporters of the home team (Sharks) harassed the Assistant Referee 1 for picking an offside play.

The report also stated that ThankGod Amaefule with Jersey No. 10 of Sharks FC assaulted the Assistant Referee 1 immediately after the match, thereby, violating Article 5.8 of the Rules and Regulations.

To this end, Sharks FC was fined the sum of N200, 000 and their subsequent home matches shall be played behind closed doors while the player (Amaefule) got four matches ban.

SARAKI FOOTBALL CLUB COACH BANNED TOO

In a related development, Coach Erasmus Onuh of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Football Club of Ilorin has been banned for four matches with a fine of N200,000 to be paid his club’s next home game. Onuh was penalised for what the league board described as unsporting behaviour during the league match involving Warri Wolves and ABS at the Warri Township Stadium.

According to the Acting Executive Secretary of the League board, the Match report revealed that the AR 1 was assaulted by Coach Onuh in the 89th minute.

Meanwhile, the match reports were said to have been sent to Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Disciplinary and Referees Committees for further action.