A shocking incident unfolded during the Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru’s cup final match on the evening of September 10. Players and supporters of the Ishielu Local Government Area (LGA) team reportedly launched an attack on the referee, alleging poor officiating in the match.
The referee found himself in a perilous situation as he was chased throughout the stadium by irate supporters. The chaotic scene continued until Governor Francis Nwifuru intervened to rescue the beleaguered referee. The governor’s intervention helped restore order as he overcame security personnel who were struggling to protect the referee from the angry mob.
During the prize presentation ceremony, Governor Nwifuru strongly condemned the attack, labeling it as “shameful and embarrassing.” He expressed disappointment in the unprofessional behavior of the players and emphasized that anyone dissatisfied with a referee’s decision should follow the proper channels for complaint rather than resorting to violence.
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Governor Nwifuru also announced measures to prevent similar incidents in future competitions. He revealed that match officials for upcoming matches would be sourced from other states, ensuring that they remain anonymous to the teams and supporters.
The governor praised the efforts of the sports commissioner in organizing the competition and stressed the importance of providing opportunities to empower and unite the state’s youth through sports.
In the final match, Ebonyi LGA emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over Ishielu, while Ohaozara LGA secured third place by defeating Izzi 1-0 in the third-place match. Despite the unfortunate incident, the competition showcased the potential of sports to bring communities together while emphasizing the need for sportsmanship and fair play.
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