Abuja Stadium Vandalism: FIFA Fines Nigeria N63 Million

• FIFA has fined Nigeria CHF150,000 for the Abuja stadium vandalism that occurred in March.

• The Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja was vandalized after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

• FIFA has also ordered that Nigeria’s next international football match be played behind closed doors.

World football body, FIFA announced on Monday that it had fined Nigeria CHF150,000 (N63.9m). The fine was due to the Abuja stadium vandalism that occurred in March this year.

The Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja was vandalized by fans on March 29, after the Super Eagle failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Hundreds of fans invaded the pitch after the match, destroying the items in the technical area and the VIP section of the stadium.

Nigeria played out a 1-1 draw against Ghana at the Abuja stadium after also drawing the first leg of the tie 0-0 away from home. The result meant that the National team was knocked out via away goals.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee delivered the punishment in a letter updated on April 28. According to the committee, the sanction on the football team was as a result of failure to implement safety rules and maintain law and order.

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Also, the football governing body has ordered that Nigeria’s next international match be played behind closed doors. It, however, gave room for an appeal.

According to FIFA, the violence at the stadium breached Article 16 of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. In addition to Nigeria, 48 other countries were either fined or warned by FIFA for misconduct during the qualifiers.

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