Gombe United Football Club has appealed to the Nigeria Premier Football League Disciplinary Committee, to reconsider its position on sanction imposed on the team over alleged misconduct.
This was disclosed in a statement by the secretary of the club, Bala Abubakar on Wednesday.
He said the club is appealing to the committee to reconsider the harsh penalties imposed on the team following fans’ misconduct during their Week 17 match against Rivers United.
Gombe United FC was on Monday deducted three points and three goals and fined N3.5 million for various offences in their last home league match against Rivers United FC last weekend.
“The club expressed their deep remorse for the ‘unacceptable actions’ of certain individuals involved in the alleged attempted assault on match officials,” said the statement. “The club expressed surprise at how ‘a few bad eggs’ could jeopardise the team’s progress and damage the peaceful reputation of Pantami Stadium, known for its vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.”
Mr Abubakar attributed the behaviour of some of the fans to the human element of occasional mistakes, which was not a norm, hence the need for leniency from the committee.
“While acknowledging the severity of the misconduct, we urge the disciplinary committee to consider a more lenient approach. This is a heartfelt plea for leniency, hoping that the committee will grant our request for a review of the penalty.
“We reiterate our unwavering obedience to the NPFL’s rules and regulations while emphasising our desire to move forward constructively,” he said.
The secretary said the club’s leadership was promoting sportsmanship among supporters, reiterating the club’s dedication to fan education and enlightenment.
Mr Abubakar promised to take additional measures in collaboration with the fans club leadership to strengthen crowd control and ensure such incidents never occur again.
“We are committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and sportsmanship,” he said.
NAN
