World football governing body, FIFA, has imposed a fine of 150,000 Swiss Franc (about $154,000) on Nigeria following the unruly behaviour of the fans at the end of the second leg of the FIFA World Cup play-off between the Super Eagles and Black Stars of Ghana at the Moshood Abiola Stadium on March 29.
The game ended 1-1 as the Black Stars edged Nigeria out of the World Cup on the away goals rule, after the first leg ended goalless in Kumasi.
Angry Nigerian fans invaded the MKO Abiola stadium pitch and destroyed some facilities, after the national team failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana players were left to battle their own way toward the tunnel in scenes, as police started to beat the rioters with their batons, while it took tear gas on the pitch to disperse the unruly fans, who also smashed the dugouts.
In a dispatch by FIFA, the body’s Disciplinary Committee decried the poor organisation of the match for lack of order and security at the match, 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’.
Apart from the 150,000 CHF fine, Nigeria will play its next home match behind closed doors.
