NPL Overturns Wikki’s Walkover On Bayelsa Utd

The Premier League board in Nigeria has cancelled the walkover in favour of Wikki Tourists over titleholder, Bayelsa United, Naijaligue.blogspot.com understands.

The Nigeria Premier League (NPL) explained in a statement that the walkover flouts the rules and regulations of the Premier League.

“The Nigeria Premier League wishes to inform all Premier League Clubs and other stakeholders that the purported walk-over in-favour of Wikki Tourist FC is a contravention of NPL rules and regulations hence, there is no justification for it,” the statement read.

The game between Wikki Tourists and Bayelsa United was billed to hold at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi on May 15 but could not hold due to unavoidable absent of the away team.

Apart from the absence of Bayelsa United from that game, the centre referee, Success Anyanwu from Imo State could not arrive in Bauchi on matchday due to flight hiccups.

“The match under reference was scheduled for Saturday 15th May 2010 at Abubakar Tarfawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi but unfortunately, the away team Bayelsa Utd FC claimed that its vehicle broke down at Ugheli on thier way to Bauchi thereby making it difficult for the team to arrive for the match.

“A letter to that effect was submitted to the Match Commissioner by the protocol officer of Bayelsa Utd FC (Mr. Ikputu David) around 3:15pm and before this time, there were several phone conversations and text messages between the Match Commissioner and Bayelsa Utd FC official. Secondly, it is also established that, the appointed Referee, Mr. Success Anyawu (Imo) could not arrive Bauchi on Saturday 15th May 2010 due to flight delay.

The NPL used Articles 4.1(6) and 5.0(3) of its league statutes to intercede in the matter, and ended up rescheduling the game for June 16.

“The purported walkover in favour of Wikki Tourist FC is null and void and of no effect whatsoever. The match has therefore been rescheduled for Wednesday 16th June 2010,” NPL said in a statement.