Nigeria’s football federation (NFF) have launched an investigation into a case of suspected match-fixing in a regional FA Cup final match.
A video circulated widely on social media showed a Remo Stars goalkeeper doing nothing to stop the opposition penalties. At the same time, their outfield players fired their spot kicks wide enough to reach the touchline.
Remo Stars lost 3-0 on penalties to Ijebu United in the Ogun State FA Cup final. In this regional qualifying tournament, both finalists qualify for the National FA Cup competition.
Mohammed Sanusi, general secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, described the incident as embarrassing.
“There will be an investigation,” Sanusi told ESPN.
“It is very, very embarrassing. I have already directed the head of the NFF Head of Integrity to handle the investigation.”
It is alleged that Remo Stars deliberately lost the shootout in protest at the perceived poor treatment of the club by the Ogun State FA and consistent controversial calls from the referee.
“Our club has been constantly treated poorly by the FA, and we did not even want to enter for this competition, but we were prevailed upon to enter for it. At the final, the referee made some dodgy calls, even denying us what was a clear penalty kick,” the source told the same publication.
“The referee wanted the game to go to penalties. He signalled just one minute of additional time.
“That was the last straw for us, and we decided we would not play the penalty shootout, and they should simply give us the silver medals for second place. But they told us we had to play or we could be disqualified for not concluding the game and putting the game to disrepute. So, we said we could play, but playing does not mean we have to score.”
However, following widespread backlash, the official said the club now regret the action and are braced for whatever sanction will be imposed.
“In retrospect, we can now see that that was a mistake as well. It is being made to look even worse than our initial decision not to play at all,” the source added.
Sanusi said NFF President Amaju Pinnick, who is in Morocco for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, has added his weight to the investigation. In contrast, Ogun State Football Association chairman Ganiyu Majekodunmi said they are looking into the matter.
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