Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has threatened withdrawal of Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin from the second tier Nigeria National League NNL, if the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) fails to take appropriate sanction against Remo Stars FC of Ikenne-Remo
Obaseki expressed his disappointment and shock over the violent attack on Bendel Insurance players and officials during their NNL Group B2 Week 21 game at Remo Stars Stadium,Ikenne in Ogun state on Sunday,June 6,2021.
The Governor issued the threat when he visited the injured Bendel Insurance FC players and officials at the Central Hospital in Benin-City, the state capital.
His words, "We will have to suspend our participation in the league until appropriate sanctions are taken by the country's football regulatory body NFF against those who attacked and injured our players and officials. And we expect the NNF to take interest in the wellbeing of affected players and the cost of treatment and losses we suffered."
The governor vowed that Edo state government would press charges against Remo Stars over the violent attack.
Five players and five officials including the club Secretary Xharles Ihimekpen,
Coach Stanley Osazee,striker Sarki Ismael,defender Benjamin Tanimu and others have been receiving medial treatment at the Central Hospital in Benin since their return from Remo.
Governor Obaseki in his reaction said that he was disappointed in Remo Stars, describing the Remo Stars behavior as barbaric and unacceptable.
"I am so disappointed and shock the behavior of Remo Stars. This barbaric and not in the spirit of sportsmanship. Our players went to Remo to play and not to be attacked".
Trouble started when an Insurance striker Sarki Ismael was sent off the pitch by the central referee in the 95th minutes of the game and as the player stepped out of the field, Remo Stars Team Manager Yinka Samuel in company of some fans encroached the field and started beating up the player
Eye witness account alleged that the marauding Remo Stars football hooligans used sticks,Iron rods and stones on their victims as the affected Insurance players and officials were seen in viral video jumping over the fence to the nearby forest for safety after being chased by their host.
It was also reported that some of the affected Insurance FC players sustained varied degrees of injuries while the club secretary was beaten to pulp, with their media office Video Cameras,phones and other valuables including vehicle (Bus) were allegedly damaged.
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