Heartland to appeal LMC’s decision on Plateau United tie

The Naze Millionaires have hinted that they would explore all parameters necessary to get justice after the LMC ruled that they have to pay a fine of N3,000,000 and also forfei…

Heartland have disclosed that they would appeal the ruling of the League Management Company (LMC) which fined them three million naira and sent them to the Nigeria National League .

The LMC following a review of reports and video of the match said the Naze Millionaires breached the rule because of their failure to continue with the match and were subsequently fined N3,000,000 and a forfeiture of the three points and three goals which was awarded to Plateau United after the tie was abandoned by Heartland in the 75th minute following a dispute with the match referee’s call.

The Media Officer of the club, Cajetan Nkwopara told Goal that Heartland would be appealing the verdict of the LMC and that they would explore all possibilities through legitimate means to get justice.

“We will definitely appeal the verdict of the LMC. We won’t allow this injustice to stand,” Nkwopara told Goal.

“Everyone at the stadium saw what happened and we cannot be blamed for the way the tie ended after a legitimate goal was disallowed. The management of the club will meet and take a conclusive decision on the verdict but what is certain is that we will explore all avenues necessary to ensure that the right justice is served.”

Goal recalls that the decision of the LMC on the match which also included a fine of N1,000,000 on Plateau United for their failure to control their fans who were caught on camera throwing objects onto the field of play which led to the delay in the start of the second half, an act considered a breach of rule B13.18, is still subject to the ruling of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)’s Disciplinary Committee.

Heartland have yet to be relegated from the topflight since their debut in the Nigerian league in 1976.