'Match-fixers' incur hefty fines, bans

The alleged actors in the match-fixing saga that rocked the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) last season have received massive fines and suspensions.

SuperSport.com was informed on Wednesday by a member of the Organising and Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Tunde Aderibigbe that Dolphins and Sunshine Stars were fined heavily for their involvement in the match-fixing allegation.

The champions, Dolphins were handed a fine of N10 million while last season's runners-up, Sunshine Stars were slammed with N20 million for being directly involved in the saga.

The punishment on Sunshine Stars is the heaviest financial fine handed out to any club in Nigeria so far.

A number of individuals involved in the match-fixing drama did not go unpunished.

Dolphins' manager, Stanley Eguma was given a five-year suspension from all related football activities in Nigeria.

Centre referee, Chrisantus Okoro and an assistant referee as well as one Divine Benjamin were also handed five-year bans each.

Aderibigbe told SuperSport.com that the ruling was done "within the purview of the 2010 rules and regulation of the National League."

Lobi Stars' vice chairman, Dominic Iorfa had raised an alarm of match-fixing against Sunshine Stars claiming that the referees for the game against his club had come in contact with officials of the Akure Gunners.

The NFF subsequently arranged a hearing on September 21, 2011 where referee Okoro made startling revelations against Eguma.

However, Aderibigbe said the offenders in the match-fixing allegation have "the rights to appeal the punishment within 48 hours of receiving notification of the ruling."