Rangers Dismiss NPFL Charges As ‘False,’ Demand Fair Review

Eight-time Nigeria Premier Football League champions, Rangers International, have rejected charges of breaching the league framework levelled against them by the league board following their last match against Barau FC in Enugu last Sunday.

Rangers, who hosted Barau FC at the Cathedral in Enugu, were fined N4m and ordered to play their last two home matches behind closed doors for failing to provide adequate and effective security during the match. The club’s officials were also said to have exhibited actions capable of bringing the game into disrepute.

The club were further accused of failing to ensure the proper conduct of their supporters, which allegedly led to the harassment of match officials.

In response to the summary jurisdiction notice, the club’s General Manager, Amobi Ezeaku, rejected all the punishments, describing the charges as false, defamatory, exaggerated, baseless and inaccurately represented.

“Rangers International FC categorically rejects all allegations contained therein, as they are entirely false, misleading, and not supported by facts or evidence,” Amobi said in a letter sent to the Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL.

The letter stated that the club had a robust security arrangement, including the deployment of over 150 trained stewards and more than 100 police personnel, which exceeded standard matchday requirements.

“At no point were match officials harassed, threatened, or held against their will. We possess clear video evidence of the immediate aftermath of the match, which shows a controlled environment and directly contradicts these claims,” Amobi added.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the club is also in possession of additional material evidence and information which, if made public, may raise serious concerns and potentially bring aspects of the league into disrepute.”

He then sought the cooperation of the league body to review and reduce the sanctions imposed on the club, while the allegations are handled by a duly constituted disciplinary panel, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the NPFL Framework and Rules, to enable the club present its full defence.