Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) fines Ogenyi Onazi $5,000; ...summons Vincent Enyeama

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has imposed a fine of $5,000 on the Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, who bagged a straight red card for an act of retaliation during Nigeria/Chad AFCON qualifier in Kaduna.

The Lazio of Italy player according to thenff.com is to forward a written apology to the nation’s soccer ruling in addition to the fine.

According to a letter signed by Tunde Aderibigbe on behalf of the general secretary of NFF and dated 19th June, the NFF wrote: “The Board of the Nigeria Football Federation has viewed your behaviour and conduct during the Nigeria/Chad match as tantamount to gross indiscipline and unprofessional, which undermined the discipline of the team in its totality and a breach of ethics for players as well as the code of conduct for players and officials.

“Consequently, the NFF having reviewed the situation hereby impose a fine of $5,000 (Five Thousand American Dollars Only) on you as well as a written apology.

“We believe that subsequently you will be of good behaviour and conduct, for a repeat of this behaviour shall earn you even stiffer punishment.

“We hope that this action shall serve as a deterrent to others in our future engagements.”

Meanwhile, the disciplinary committee of the NFF has summoned captain Vincent Enyeama to appear before it on Tuesday, over his unguarded statement made against NFF’s choice of Kaduna for the AFCON qualifier against Chad, and his refusal to reply to the query given to him after the match.

According to thenff.com, the committee, headed by Chris Green, wrote: “You will recall that you were queried by the Nigeria Football Federation for your uncomplimentary remarks with regards to safety and security in Kaduna State, host of the Nations Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Chad Republic.

“You received the query letter on June 13th, 2015, and refused to reply to the query up till now, which is well over the 48 hours deadline given to you to reply to the query. Consequently, the NFF has referred the matter to the disciplinary committee for adjudication.

“You are by this, invited to appear before the disciplinary committee of the Nigeria Football Federation sitting on Tuesday, 23rd June, 2015 at the federation’s secretariat in Abuja. The committee sitting will commence at 11am prompt.”

It will be recalled that Lille OSC of France goalkeeper, Enyeama made a U turn on the issue immediately after the Super Eagles’ 2-0 victory saying, he was only expressing his concern about the safety of the match venue given the security situation in that part of the country.

Credit: Ganiyu Salma/Nigerian Tribune