Sunshine Stars to appeal NPL punishment

One of the pacesetters in the Nigerian topflight this season, Sunshine Stars, have declared that they would challenge the punishment slammed on them by the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) earlier this week.

The parent body of the Premier League side, the Ondo State Football Academy (OSFA), in a statement said it will challenge the charge of playing their next two games behind closed doors by the NPL since Sunshine Stars were not allowed to defend themselves.

The football agency through its public relations officer, JA Adewumi, believes there are some forces trying to plot the fall of Sunshine Stars this season.

“We are not afraid of playing anywhere but we are going to appeal this ban because it has justified insinuations that some people are after the fall of Sunshine Stars. We are appealing so that we can clear our name,” Adewumi said in the statement.

Sunshine Stars have also alleged that the Protocol Officer of Heartland, Tonnex Chukwu, is to blame for the trouble that erupted in the stands during last Sunday’s game between Heartland and Sunshine Stars at the Gateway International Stadium.

The Akure-based club also claimed that Chukwu came to Ijebu-Ode with the ploy to incite fans of Sunshine Stars.

“We got privileged information that Tonnex planned to cause trouble and we were not surprised when he sat among the spectators and started inciting them. Apart from the argument in the stands between Tonnex and the fans, no official of Heartland was harassed.

“It was a pre-meditated plan to cause trouble because Tonnex is known for that. We are advising the NPL to watch him closely. He did the same to Lobi Stars when Heartland played them in Aba and got away. He has done it with us and got away,” Adewumi stated.

Sunshine Stars are also requesting that the Premier League watch the video of the match in order to determine if the second goal scored by Sunshine Stars should have stood or not.

“A shot was played from the outside 18 yard box and Heartland keeper parried it for our player to slot in for the goal. I wonder if they know the rules at all?” queried Adewumi.