Ibadan United have been hit with severe sanctions by the Nationwide League One after shocking scenes of violence and disorder during their league clash against Ilaji FC.
The NLO confirmed that the club has forfeited the match and will also pay a ₦500,000 fine following ugly incidents involving players and supporters during the game.
The disciplinary action comes after a chaotic confrontation at the Durbar Stadium in Oyo where players reportedly invaded the pitch and physically assaulted match officials during the encounter.
The match, which was streamed live, quickly descended into controversy as tensions exploded in full view of league officials and football fans watching online.
According to the NLO, the behaviour displayed by members of Ibadan United amounted to serious misconduct and brought the integrity of the competition into question.
In an official statement released on Monday, the league body described the incident as an act of “unsportsmanlike behaviour” that disrupted the match and violated league regulations.
As part of the punishment, the NLO awarded the game to Ilaji FC while also imposing further disciplinary measures on individuals involved in the incident.
Three Ibadan United players have now been suspended indefinitely from all football related activities pending further decisions.
The affected players are Ojedokun Basit, Lawal Hassan and Aderibigbe Hammed.
Their suspensions immediately remove them from all official football participation connected to the league.
The NLO also instructed Ibadan United to settle the ₦500,000 fine before the club can participate in another league fixture.
At the moment, the club has not publicly accepted or rejected the sanctions.
The incident has sparked widespread reactions among football supporters, with many raising concerns about discipline, officiating protection and crowd control in Nigeria’s lower division leagues.
Violence involving players and officials has remained a recurring issue in some domestic competitions, especially in highly emotional matches where promotion hopes and local rivalries create intense pressure.
However, the NLO’s latest decision appears designed to send a strong warning that such behaviour will no longer be tolerated.
The fact that the match was broadcast live also increased the attention surrounding the incident, as clips and reactions quickly spread among football fans online.
For many observers, the sanctions handed to Ibadan United reflect the league’s attempt to protect the image of Nigerian football and restore confidence in disciplinary standards within the competition.
The punishments could also have major consequences for Ibadan United’s season, especially with the loss of points, financial penalties and indefinite suspensions affecting the squad.
Attention will now turn to whether the club decides to appeal the sanctions or accepts the punishment imposed by the league authorities.
Meanwhile, the NLO is expected to continue monitoring conduct across its competitions as pressure grows for stronger enforcement of discipline at all levels of Nigerian football.
Galaxy Sports Production
Should we send you latest update about your favourite sports and team?
Enter you email in the box below and hit the subscribe button to join our teaming 876+ sports community.
