Fans allege ‘match fixing’ as Remo Stars’ players lose penalties against Ijebu United
Football fans has called for a paradigm shift in the Nigeria football circle in reaction to what was suspected to be a match fixing situation in the Ogun State FA Cup Final between Remo Stars and Ijebu United.
The match, which was played on Thursday at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-ode saw Ijebu United, a Nigeria league second tier(NNL) side, defeating Remo Stars currently playing in the elite league (NPFL) 3-0 on penalties to win the FA trophy.
While both teams played a goalless draw in the regulation time, the match was forced in to penalties to decide the winner of the encounter.
A video circulating online showed how Remo Stars Players played their penalty kicks bizarrely and their goalkeeper also remained unmoved towards the penalties played by the opponents.
Reacting to the game, social media users described the dispositions of the Remo Stars players as ’embarrasing’ and a moment capable of bringing the game to disrepute.
“If this isn’t Match Fixing, then I don’t know what it is. Why is Nigerian football like this? Why don’t we ever want progress?? This is Ogun State FA Cup final between Remo Stars and Ijebu United ??” said a facebook user named Ade Shina.
“You see Nigerian Local Football? FIFA suppose ban am!
See match between Remo Stars and Ijebu FC???” remarked Governor Ogbonna on Facebook.
John Udofia Emmanuel said , “MATCH FIXING or NOT?
This video is actually trending outside Nigeria…
The penalty shootout FA Cup final between Remo Stars vs Ijebu United. What a shame!!!
SIGH!!! #YeyeDeySmell”
Also in the words of Oyedokun Ayodele Oluwasemilore, he quipped:”See what happened during Ogun state cup final match between Remo Stars and Ijebu United, an obvious case of match-fixing.
How will football develop in Nigeria with this nonsense?”
In another twist, Jeremiah Ola noted that the situation was inspired by a disagreement between the two teams on whether the game should proceed to extra time or not after the regulation period.
He wrote on his Facebook page;
“According to findings: What happened? Remo Stars and Ijebu United played a goalless draw. However, one team wants more action (extra time) But the Referees and the Ogun State FAs are having none of it.
Remo Stars Coach directed his player not to score the penalties and the goalkeeper must not make any attempt to save it. Both teams qualified for the AITEO CUP”.
Meanwhile, when reached by the Informant247, the Media Officer of the Remo Stars, Oladimeji Oshode said there’s nothing true about the report that the players were directed by the Coach to play the penalty in a bizarre manner.
“The report is false. Thank you” he said affirmatively.
