Sports
NPFL Ban Boboye For 17 Matches, Sanction Insurance
The match, which ended 2-2 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Saturday, March 28, was marred by a series of serious breaches. According to the NPFL, Bendel Insurance failed to provide adequate matchday security, which allowed unauthorised individuals to gain access to restricted areas within the stadium.
The situation deteriorated further after the final whistle. Supporters of the Benin-based club were found guilty of unsporting behaviour, and match officials were reportedly held hostage for 40 minutes in the aftermath of the game, a development the league described as a direct violation of football governance and safety standards.
Boboye was found guilty of gross misconduct towards a match official, an act deemed to be in breach of the league’s regulations on discipline and fair play.
In addition to the coach’s personal sanction, Bendel Insurance were fined five million naira for the various breaches, with the club also ordered to play their next three home matches behind closed doors.
The NPFL said the penalties reflected its commitment to maintaining order, professionalism and respect for match officials, particularly in high-pressure situations.
The suspension represents a significant blow to Bendel Insurance at a critical stage of the season, leaving the technical crew to manage upcoming fixtures without Boboye’s direct influence on the touchline. The closed-door order will also deprive the club of home support at the Ogbemudia Stadium, affecting both atmosphere and the financial returns from those matches.
Bendel Insurance retain the right to appeal the ruling through the appropriate NPFL disciplinary channels