The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will reportedly launch an investigation into a potential case of match-fixing during a recent penalty shootout, with a video of the incident having gone viral.
In a clip that has done the rounds on social media in recent days, Remo Stars’ goalkeeper could be seen making no move to stop an opposition player’s penalty, while one of their outfield players later fired his spot-kick wide enough to see the ball fly past the corner flag during a regional FA Cup match.
This is MENTAL ??
Match fixing in Nigeria.. wait for the 2nd penalty… WOW ?
Never seen anything that obvious!
pic.twitter.com/Nf8DoHmYE2
— Football Tipster (@Footy_Tipster)
July 14, 2022
According to ESPN, Remo Stars ended up losing 3-0 on penalties to Ijebu United in the Ogun State FA Cup final, a regional qualifying tournament that allows both finalists to the chance to qualify for the National FA Cup tournament.
NFF general secretary Mohammed Sanusi has since confirmed an inquest will be launched.
“There will be an investigation,” he said, per ESPN.
“It is very, very embarrassing. I have already directed the head of the NFF Head of Integrity to handle the investigation.”
A source who works for Remo Stars and is close to owner Kunle Soname has revealed that the club deliberately lost the penalty shootout in protest of their poor treatment by the Ogun State FA, while they also felt the referee consistently made controversial calls during the fixture.
“Our club has been constantly treated poorly by the FA, and we did not even want to enter for this competition but we were prevailed upon to enter for it. At the final, the referee made some dodgy calls, even denying us what was a clear penalty kick,” the unnamed source said, according to ESPN.
“The referee wanted the game to go to penalties, he signalled just one minute of additional time.
“That was the last straw for us, and we decided we would not play the penalty shootout and they should simply give us the silver medals for second place.
“But they told us we had to play or we could be disqualified for not concluding the game and putting the game to disrepute.
“So we said we could play, but playing does not mean we have to score.”
Following widespread backlash on social media, the Remo Stars official added that they regret their actions and will accept whatever punishment is imposed.
“In retrospect, we can now see that that was a mistake as well,” the source continued.
“It is being made to look even worse than our initial decision not to play at all.”
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