FIFA fines Nigeria over crowd trouble at Moshood Abiola Stadium

FIFA President Gianni Infantino

FIFA on Monday announced it fined Nigeria 150,000 Swiss Franc (N63.9m) over the fracas that ensued at the end of the second leg Qatar 2022 World Cup play-off between the Super Eagles and Black Stars of Ghana at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on March 29.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the World Cup after playing out a 1-1 draw with eternal rivals Ghana, days after a goalless draw in Kumasi. The Ghanaians qualified on the away goal rule.

The result saw fans invade the pitch, attack officials and opposition fans and destroy stadium facilities at the final whistle.

In a letter updated on April 28, FIFA’s disciplinary committee decried the poor organisation of the match for lack of order and security, adding there was “failure to implement existing safety rules and failure to ensure that law and order are maintained in the stadium, invasion of the field of play and throwing of objects.”

The violence, according to FIFA, breached Article 16 of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

FIFA also ruled that Nigeria will play its next home match without fans.

A total of 49 countries were either fined or warned by FIFA for misconduct during the qualifiers.