A Nigerian Premier league football match that was held between the Heartland of Owerri and defending Champions in Imo State, Plateau United, ended in a fracas as the referee who officiated the match was beaten by football fans unconsciously.
Sources have it that the referee was beaten after the football match ended in a 1-1 draw as Tosin Omoyele of Plateau United had scored the equalizer for his team. Online sources claim that the Heartland fans who attacked the referee said his poor officiating during the match was what led to the draw.
Here are more photos below;
Fans of Sunshine Stars of Akure beat up the centre referee, by name Damian Akure, after their game ended in a draw at home to Kano Pillars a few weeks ago. Reports with photos claim that the home crowd, have descended on the officials after he (centre referee) ended the game.
Damian Akure had Emmanuel Apine and Lewis Gwantana both of them were his Assistant referees while Kenneth Onyiro was the fourth official for the football match.
However, Chris Okunnuwa, who happens to be the media officer for Sunshine, has denied the attack but he has admitted that a fan threw an object at the centre referee which may have wounded him.
“Honestly the referees were not attacked or assaulted physically, there was no way that would have happened anyway due to the heavy security presence on ground for the Sunshine Stars – Kano Pillars game.
“But truly a water object was thrown from the crowd towards the officials on their way to the dressing room after the game and that could have caught the injured official. I know the club won’t shy away from taken responsibility for this.
“Shame it appeared the way it is already but in truth the referees were not assaulted save for the object thrown by a spectator in the crowd and last time I checked serious efforts were already on to fish out the object thrower and bring him to book.
“I am saying this with all level of assurance and certainty no one will attack referee(s) this season and beyond in Akure with the measures on ground and the fans education.”
