Heartland FC Of Owerri Fined Heavily After Their Fans Beat Up Referee To Coma During A Football Game

Few days ago in a match between Heartland of Owerri and the Nigerian Professional Football League defending Champions, Plateau United, Heartland football fans assaulted the referee to the point of coma and was admitted into hospital. According to several reports, the Heartland supporters were not impressed with a home draw, and faulted the performance of the officials for allowing to Plateau United equalise through a very late goal.

Below are the fines/punishment handed to the Owerri based club by the League Management Company, LMC

Heartland have been docked 3 accrued points after crowd trouble incident vs Plateau Utd on Matchday 18 (1)

Heartland will play their next 3 home matches behind closed doors(2)

Heartland team manager Mobi Oparaku suspended from all #NPFL activities for the next 10 matches (3)

Heartland have been fined N1m for encroachment immediately after their match vs Plateau Utd (4)

Heartland have also been fined N500,000 for failing to restrict unauthorized persons access to restricted areas during the match vs Plateau Utd (5)

Heartland have also been fined N1m for assault on match officials after game vs Plateau Utd. The club will also pay N1.25m as compensation to the match officials (6)

Another N500,000 fine will be paid by Heartland for failure to use & issue matchday tickets for record & crowd control purposes (7)

Heartland have been further fined N1m for issuing public statement capable of bringing the league to disrepute (8 )