LMC: Heartland lose 3 points, fined N6.25m

The League Management Company (LMC), has ruled that Heartland FC will forfeit three points and play their next three home matches at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, behind closed doors.

This follows the crowd trouble recorded in Owerri, last Sunday when the Naze Millionaires hosted Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) reigning champions, Plateau United FC in a matchday 18 fixture which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Abiodun Thompson had put Heartland ahead in the 21st minute, while Tosin Omoyele secured an equaliser for the visitors during added time.

However, home fans who could not come to terms with the result descended on the centre referee, Yusuf Garba, who they believed made a number of questionable calls in the match.

Garba sustained injuries from the attack and had to be treated at a nearby hospital.

According to the tweets fom the LMC on Friday, Heartland will be fined N1.5million for fans encroachment after the game and their failure to restrict unauthorised persons to restricted areas during the match.

For the assault on match officials, the LMC fined the club N1m and also ruled that they should pay N1.25million as compensation to the match officials.

Another N500,000 fine will be paid by Heartland for their failure to use and issue matchday tickets for record and crowd control purposes, while they will pay another N1million for issuing public statement capable of bringing the league to disrepute.

Heartland are also fined N1million for unfairly criticising and discrediting match officials who are officers or agents of the league.

Also, Team manager of Heartland, Mobi Oparaku for his role in the saga has also been slammed with a 10-game ban in the NPFL.