Both managements of the second tier Nigeria National League sides, Remo Stars of Ikenne-Remo and visiting Bendel Insurance of Benin are trading blames over the last Sunday's violence at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State
Remo Stars in a statement, condemned the incident accusing the Insurance goalkeeper, Kolawole Oladapo for his time wasting antics aided by team mate, Sarki Ismail who was later issued with Second yellow card and red card by centre referee
The homeside alleged that Sarki Ismail refused to leave the pitch for the dressing room as stipulated by the regulations of the game
Trouble started according to the Remo Stars when the Chief Executive Officer of the team, Mr. Adedoyin Ogungbefun was suddenly hit by Sarki while trying to guard the player out of the pitch with the support of the security personnel
This drew anger from the fans, players and officials of Remo Stars
The statement further reads in parts
"Remo Stars FC condemn the incident and will never encourage any form of football violence and hooliganism on and off the field of play"
"This was not a case of bad officiating as speculated in the media, as no match official was assaulted before, during and after the game"
"It is important to note that all the players and officials of Bendel Insurance are in good condition, the injured player has been given the best of treatment,best of health care to ensure he is fine and the incident was reported to the Ogun State Police Command as Investigation are ongoing"
"We will ensure all the assistance by authorities to carry out their Investigation, are fully provided"
But Insurance in its management response to the ugly incident, claimed that the club's players and officials were subjected to inhuman treatment by Remo Stars fans, players and officials
"Bendel Insurance FC players and Officials suffered repugnant and' inhuman treatment in the hands of Remo Stars FC players, Fans and some officials during the Sunday 6th June, 2021 evening game at Remo Stars FC Stadium, Ikenne, Ogun state".
The club admitted that no life was lost, saying its players behaved orderly and played good football through out which ended in a draw
"Bendel Insurance played good football and behaved orderly throughout the period the game lasted"
The visitors however gave their own version of how incident started, accusing Remo Stars players of being responsible for the fracas at the stadium when Insurance goal keeper sustained injury and needed attention
The statement by the media officer of the club, Kehinde Osagiede,reads in parts:
"Trouble started when Insurance goalkeeper Kolawole was injured and the centre Referee called for care for him, only for Remo Stars FC players to be fomenting trouble in our area".
"In the process, one of them was issued a yellow card. The Ref then paid attention on the injured goalkeeper only for one of Remo players in their old trick to commit opponents shouted, and without wasting time the Ref issued second yellow card to our striker Sarki Ismael ".
"While Sarki was walking out of the field, a senior official of Remo Stars with some fans encroached the field and started forcing Sarki out. Sarki tried to avoid their trouble but it was too late for him as they descended on him and started beating him up".
"The captain of Insurance Maurice Prince who also tried to help calm the situation was not spared either. The most repugnant and barbaric part of the ugly incident was when the police aid attached to Remo boss held our captain and assisted Remo's marauding fans to assault him"
"Consequently, about eight of our players and club Secretary Charles Ihimekpen aka Chico sustained various degree of injuries. The secretary was unconscious for about twenty minutes".
"The two video cameras we used in the match were damaged as the fierce looking Remo fans seized the gadgets for hours and carefully selected the tapes that would show what happened and deleted them".
"The same was done to our media Officer whose two phones and power bank were seized and all videos and photos about the incident were thoroughly selected, while the ones during the incident were deleted before their Team Manager and a Police Officer later returned them damaged".
"Infact, assault is an understatement. We were roundly humiliated as some Remo fans made some of our officials to be on their knees begging for their dear lives".
"The Assistant coach who led our feeders team for Remo scouting invitational game scheduled to begin on Monday, June 7 received serious slaps and beating from Remo Chief with his medicated eye glasses shattered".
"Insurance players were overwhelmed with the assault and had to run away from the stadium, jumping the fence for safety as dangerous weapons including iron rods woods and sticks were freely used against us"
The security arrangement was too poor that only about three police men attached to the Remo chief were seen in the Stadium.
"As a matter of fact,Remo Stars management and Ogun State FA disregarded the NNL/NFF Covid-19 rules which prohibit spectators and large crowd at match venues and they as well breached security protocols."
"As the Deputy Governor of Edo state,Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu received Insurance team in Benin today,the second Assistant coach of Bendel Insurance FC Stanley Osazee collapsed from his chair and currently receiving medica attention at the Government House Clinic."
Remo Stars are currently topping the table with 34 point in the Southern Conference Group B2 of the league
No comments:
Post a Comment