BREAKING: FIFA fines Nigeria N64m, bans fans after Abuja stadium fracas

FIFA has fined Nigeria 150,000 Swiss France (about 65m) after fans invaded the stadium following the 2022 World Cup playoff against Ghana’s Black Stars at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja on March 29.

The 1-1 draw played against Ghana meant Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after playing a goalless draw in the first leg in Kumasi Ghana.

The result irked fans who invaded the pitch, attacking players and officials and destroying things.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee decried the poor organisation of the match for lack of order and security, adding there was ‘failure to implement existing safety rules and failure to ensure that law and order are maintained in the stadium, invasion of the field of play and throwing of objects’.

The world football governing body also ruled that the Eagles would play their next home game behind closed doors.

Details later…