By Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Management and Technical crew of Warinje FC of Bauchi has commemded the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for accepting its appeal against the decision of the Nation – Wide League One (NLO) to deduct Three points and goals from it.
Technical Adviser of the Club, Abdullahi Adamu while reacting to the decision of the Disciplinary Committee, said that Warinje FC has been vindicated from the allegations against it by the NLO regarding the said player.
He further stressed that the Club followed every available due process in line with the guidelines of the NLO and NFF regarding players recruitment before acquiring the services of the player.
Abdullahi Adamu then assured that the development will serve as a morale booster for the Club to excel in the league as the confidence of the players and Officials has now been rekindled.
The Technical Adviser expressed appreciation to all those who played one role or the other in ensuring that the Club got justice from the NFF disciplinary committee.
During a meeting of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Disciplinary Committee held on 21st June, 2024 on the the protest lodged by Warinje FC against the decision of the Nation -Wide League One (NLO) on the match played between Police Barretta FC vs Warinje FC on the 28th day of May , 2024 at the Lafia City Stadium, Nasarawa State, Warinje FC was absolved of the allegations against it.
The Committee found out that Warinje FC, Bauchi responded to the letter written to them by Nation-wide League One (NLO) on 30th May, 2024 through the Bauchi State FA, the same channel by which it got the NLO letter and that Barretta FC, Gombe followed due process in protesting against the use of an ineligible player to the NLO.
It was however discovered that the player, Gwaisam Kemin Joseph (herein referred to as the player) was issued a valid player license by the NLO to play for Warinje FC, Bauchi.
The NLO confirmed that its staff that was sent to the Lafia to be in charge of the registration was an NYSC Member who is inexperienced.
It was also discovered that the player was on loan from Gee Lec Int’l Football Academy Jos to Deluxe FC Jos of which loan agreement expired on 11th May, 2024, and automatically returned back to the parent club at the expiration of the loan.
That the player was later released to Warinje FC by the parent club Gee Lec Int’l FC on 13th May 2024 via a clearance letter dated 12th of May, 2024.
Based on the findings, the Committee decided that the Committee disagrees with NLO on its finding on the eligibility of Player Gwaisam Kemin Joseph as the said player was duly registered and cleared by NLO to play for Warinje FC of Bauchi through a valid Player’s License with number 10351 dated 14th May, 2024 as certified by NLO official before the Committee.
That the Committee disagreed with NLO on its decision on double registration by the player Gwaisam Kemin Joseph as he was not guilty of double registration rather a victim of complacency on the part of the NLO.
That the decision imposing a ban of one (1) year by the NLO on the player is hereby set aside and that the 3 points and 3 goals deducted from Warinje FC is hereby restored.
That the fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) imposed on Warinje FC is hereby set aside.
That the NLO should always ensure due diligence in matters affecting players’ registration as the body is advised to have a centralised Database for accurate checks and balances during players’ registration stressed that the decisions are without prejudice to the right of appeal.
In attendance at the meeting were: Barr. J.B.C. Obikwelu (Chairman), Barr. Wole Ademoyegun (Member), Barr. Bello Galadi (Member) and Queen W. Otarakpo, Esq. (Secretary).