The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has handed Bendel Insurance Technical Manager, Kennedy Boboye, a 17-match suspension and a N2 million fine for misconduct during a Matchday 32 fixture against Plateau United.
The league said Boboye was sanctioned for “gross misconduct towards a match official” during the heated encounter at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Saturday.
The NPFL stated: “Head coach Kennedy Boboye was cited for gross misconduct towards a match official,” describing the act as “a clear violation of the principles of fair play and discipline.”
It added that the coach’s actions included “verbal abuse and intimidation directed toward the match officials.”
The sanctions follow a chaotic end to the fixture involving Boboye’s current club and his former side, Plateau United.
In a wider ruling, the NPFL also punished Bendel Insurance for multiple breaches of its Framework and Rules.
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The league said “The Benin City side failed to provide adequate and effective security during the encounter,” a lapse that “allowed unauthorized individuals access to restricted areas within the stadium.”
It added that “The club was also found culpable for the conduct of their supporters, whose actions were deemed unsporting and capable of bringing the game into disrepute.”
Match officials were also harassed, the league noted.
The NPFL further stated that officials were “held hostage for 40 minutes after the game,” describing the incident as a serious breach.
As a result, Bendel Insurance were fined a total of N5 million — N2 million for inadequate security, N1 million for supporters’ misconduct, and N2 million for holding officials after the match.
The club will also play their next three home matches behind closed doors.
The disciplinary action marks one of the heaviest sanctions issued in the current NPFL season, with Boboye’s suspension expected to significantly impact Bendel Insurance’s campaign.
