Heartland FC have joined Plateau United in accepting sanctions, LMC says

Abuja – The League Management Company (LMC) on Thursday said Heartland Football Club of Owerri has written to it communicating its decision to withdraw an earlier rejection of the company’s decision.

The company, in a statement by Harry Iwuala, its Head of Special Projects, said the club had accepted the Summary Jurisdiction Notice issued the club for abandoning a match.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the club had abandoned its Match Day 38 fixture in Jos against hosts Plateau United FC on Oct. 2.

The fixture was one of the final match day games in the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) which ended same day.

The LMC said in the statement that Plateau United had earlier accepted the Summary Jurisdiction Notice which indicated a fine of N1 million against it.

This was for the unruly conduct of its supporters who threw objects into the field of play in violation of Rules B13.18 of the Framework and Rules.

The LMC had in the aftermath of the match charged Heartland FC with a breach of Rule B13.26 of the NPFL Framework and Rules.

NAN recalls that the rule makes it an offence for a club to refuse continuation of play during a match.

Heartland FC was fined N3 million and forfeiture of the three points and three goals to opponents Plateau United.

NAN recalls also that Heartland FC players had abandoned the match protesting the match referee’s decision with scores at 1-1.

LMC said the General Manager of Heartland FC, Oscar Keke, had in the club’s letter dated Oct. 11 said it had reconsidered the position stated in an Oct. 7 letter.

The club had in the letter rejected the charge as well as the decision of the LMC.

“Our earlier letter on the above, dated Oct. 7, refers: We have reconsidered our position and hereby submit to the board’s jurisdiction thereof.’’

LMC said the club further apologised for inconveniences its earlier position might have caused the League.

It said Heartland FC thus ended the season in the 18th position with 36 points and stand relegated to the Nigeria National League (NNL).