World football governing body, FIFA, have slammed a N64 million fine on Nigeria following the pitch invasion and chaos that ensued after the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw to the Black Stars of Ghana at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
The result meant that Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and FIFA has now also ordered that the Super Eagles’ next home international match will be played behind closed doors.
Thousands of spectators invaded the pitch at the final whistle, destroying the technical area, throwing projectiles, and causing many injuries.
FIFA said the fines were as a result of failure by Nigeria 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.”
Besides Nigeria, 48 other countries were also either fined or warned by FIFA over incidents that occurred during the World Cup qualifying playoff matches.
Nigeria has been given the opportunity to appeal the judgement.
