Enugu FA Bars Heartland From Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium

Heartland Football Club of Owerri, has been barred henceforth  from the use of the ultra modern multi-million naira Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, following  the high level of soccer hooliganism displayed by its supporters  during their last  home match with Enyimba Football Club of Aba during   the week 13 of the Nigeria Premier League played last Sunday at the stadium.

Hon. Chidi Ofo Okenwa, Chairman, Enugu State Football Association (FA), disclosed this while addressing sports writers in Enugu on Monday in respect of the attack on the referees that handled the match in which the Owerri side lost 2- 3 to Enyimba FC of Aba.

It would be recalled that scores of supporters of the Owerri club side, who are the  2011 FA Cup defending champions, threw decorum to the wind at the end of the encounter,  as they descended on match officials, especially the centre referee whom they beat black and blue for reasons best known to them.

Hon.  Ofo described  the Heartland supporters action as embarrassing and unfortunate, insisting that no person or group of individuals linked with  soccer hooliganism would go unpunished no matter how highly placed in  society.

According to the Enugu state FA boss, “Enugu state FA, has zero tolerance for any kind of soccer hooliganism,” advising club handlers across the country to always endeavour  to educate and enlighten their supporters on the true meaning  of  competition.

While apologising to soccer fans who experienced the ugly scene last Sunday at the stadium, Ofo vowed that the state FA would do everything legally possible to ensure that one Arinze Arisa Ifeanyi, who allegedly attacked the centre referee during the incident, currently in Enugu prisons custody after being arraigned by a Magistrate Court for a six count charge  is made to face the music, so as to serve as deterrent to other miscreants who always hide under  supporters clubs to perpetrate criminal act during matches.