Ogunmodede Fined N.25m for Calling on Remo Stars to Abandon Final

Duro Ikhazuagbe

For protesting against a bad call during the final of the Naija Super 8 between his team, Remo Stars and Sporting Lagos, Head Coach, Daniel Ogumodede, has been fined N250, 000 by the organisers of the tournament for inappropriate conduct.

With Sporting Lagos leading 1-0, Remo Stars scored to cancel out Sporting’s advantage but the centre referee after consulting the Assistant Referee 1, ruled the goal to have been scored from an offside position.

But Coach Ogunmodede ordered his players to abandon the rest of the game. Remo Stars players ignored the order and went ahead to score another goal that dragged the game into shootouts. They unfortunately lost 4-2 in the lottery game.

Even before making a pronouncement on what punishment to mete out to the Assistant Referee 1 who attempted to drag the game into disrepute, organisers of the tournament, Flykite Productions said in the statement that it was on the 

account of Ogumodede’s decision to order his players off the pitch over an officiating call he disagreed with that he has been slammed with the N250,000 fine.

“We find unacceptable the conduct of Mr. Daniel Ogumodede, head coach of Remo Stars, in ordering his players to leave the pitch in protest against an officiating decision in the final match of Naija Super 8.

“His conduct, which displeased many top football authorities in attendance, was witnessed by a continent-wide audience watching on television.

“While we understand that there may be grounds for disagreeing with refereeing decisions, ordering a pitch walk-off is an inappropriate way to address such.

“The Rules and Regulations document handed to every participating club states the process for disputing such calls and does not include leaving the pitch in protest.

“Mr. Ogumodede’s club acknowledged the receipt of the document, which also prescribes sanctions for officials deemed by the Naija Super 8 Technical Advisory to have erred.

“Had the players not shown maturity, which Mr. Ogumodede should epitomise, the tournament would have been brought to an inconclusive end a potential room for fan violence.

“In view of this, we have imposed a fine of N250, 000 on Mr. Ogumodede for his inappropriate conduct,” the statement said.

Unofficial source at Remo Stars hinted yesterday that the privately owned Ikenne based club was awaiting the disciplinary decision on the Assistant Referee 1 who unjustly denied the club a legally scored goal.