The Nationwide League One (NLO), which is the country’s third-tier football league, has dismissed allegations of witch-hunting some teams and aiding others’ success.
The body, yesterday, explained that the disciplinary actions meted to some teams during the 2025 NLO Division One season were consistent with the articles outlined in its rule books.
Speaking on the controversies that led to the postponement of the NLO Play-offs, which were to start yesterday across the country, the body’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Olushola Ogunnowo, said that the secretariat is not hasty in sanctioning, or profiling teams for any infractions, adding, “Instead, we followed the established laws governing the league.”
He said: “While every team has the right to seek redress from the NFF Appeals Committee, they must also avoid setting a bad precedent for the NLO brand, which has taken years of hard work to build.
“Match manipulation and other negative football practices undermine the very foundation
of our sport, namely fair play, respect, and discipline. Therefore, the NLO maintains a zero-tolerance policy against any violation of these values,” Ogunnowo stated.
He said that the cases recorded across different match centres were thoroughly investigated, using reports from match commissioners, the center referees, and video evidence, which is standard practice.
“Subsequently, the relevant articles from the rule books were applied. The rulings concerning the affected teams are expected to have a significant impact on the integrity of the league. This should not be viewed as a witch-hunt, as claimed by the clubs,” he added.
Ogunnowo drew attention to four cases currently with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Appeals Committee, which have led to the suspension of playoff matches at the Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, and Port-Harcourt centres.
“In the cases of Franceex United’s 9-0 victory over Bison FC (Maracana Centre) and CAMPOS FC’s 15-2 win against A&A FC (Akwa Centre), the NLO Secretariat applied Article 4.17 regarding match-fixing; Article 4.17(1) says any club, official, player, or referee who, by whatever arrangement with other individuals or organisations, influences or attempts to influence the outcome of a match shall be deemed guilty of gross misconduct. Upon confirmation of such allegations, the following penalties will apply. There is a fine of N500,000 on the offending clubs; the results of the match will be annulled.
“Additionally, the NLO may impose other sanctions as deemed appropriate and any individuals or club officials found guilty of masterminding the act will be banned for a minimum period of two years.”
“It is clear that Cynosure FC deliberately engaged in actions that brought the game of football in Nigeria into disrepute by falsely accusing Liberty Lions FC without concrete evidence and failing to prove their allegations of match-fixing beyond reasonable doubt,” Ogunnowo remarked.
