Cynosure Football Club of Abakaliki have petitioned the Appeals Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to quash the sanctions imposed on the club following an alleged case of match-fixing involving Liberty FC and E-World during the NLO playoffs at the Calabar Centre, Completesports.com reports.
The NLO Secretariat fined Cynosure FC ₦500,000.00 and handed a six-month suspension to the club’s chairman for allegedly raising false allegations of match-fixing—claims said to be capable of bringing Nigerian football into disrepute.
Cynosure FC questioned why a team that had honoured its previous six matches could field only seven players in its final game without any justifiable reason such as force majeure.
They also queried why a club could cite a change in match time as the reason for its players’ absence during a major competition, arguing that the revised time had been duly communicated to all parties in advance.
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“The committee’s ruling on the alleged match-fixing involving Liberty Lions FC and E-World FC has been widely criticised as a miscarriage of justice,” Cynosure FC stated.
“The NLO Disciplinary Committee’s conclusion that Cynosure FC deliberately acted to bring Nigerian football into disrepute by raising allegations of match-fixing without concrete evidence has been met with scepticism.”
The club strongly objected to the NLO Disciplinary Committee’s decision regarding the match between Liberty Lions and E-World FC, expressing disappointment and disillusionment, and firmly rejecting the committee’s verdict.
Cynosure FC further informed the NFF Appeals Committee that the sanctions imposed are not only severe but also set a dangerous precedent that could stifle future reporting of genuine concerns about match integrity.
“We therefore urge the NFF Appeals Committee to thoroughly review this matter, consider the evidence presented, and ensure that justice is served,” Cynosure FC demanded.
By Sab Osuji
