The League Management Company (LMC), has confirmed that Heartland Football Club, has been relegated from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
It is the first time the Naze Millionaires dropped out of the topflight.
Heartland endured a miserable season, where they won 11 games and recorded 11 draws.
Their relegation was confirmed after their final fixture against Plateau United. A win for Heartland plus a defeat for MFM FC against IfeanyiUbah FC, would have kept them in the NPFL.
But Heartland abandoned their match against Plateau, after the referee disallowed their goal for offside with scores levelled at 1-1.
After reviewing the game on Thursday, the LMC has awarded the match to Plateau and fined Heartland N3 million.
“The League Management Company following a review of reports and video of the match issued separate Summary Jurisdiction Notices to the clubs,” LMC said in a statement.
“In the case against Heartland, the LMC charged the club for breach of B13.26 for failing to continue with the match. The team is also fined N3 million and will forfeit three points and three goals to Plateau United.
“For the breach, the LMC fined Plateau United N1 million and both clubs have 48 hours to submit to the ruling or elect representatives to appear before the commission if they are not satisfied with the decision.”
It is the first time the Naze Millionaires dropped out of the topflight.
Heartland endured a miserable season, where they won 11 games and recorded 11 draws.
Their relegation was confirmed after their final fixture against Plateau United. A win for Heartland plus a defeat for MFM FC against IfeanyiUbah FC, would have kept them in the NPFL.
But Heartland abandoned their match against Plateau, after the referee disallowed their goal for offside with scores levelled at 1-1.
After reviewing the game on Thursday, the LMC has awarded the match to Plateau and fined Heartland N3 million.
“The League Management Company following a review of reports and video of the match issued separate Summary Jurisdiction Notices to the clubs,” LMC said in a statement.
“In the case against Heartland, the LMC charged the club for breach of B13.26 for failing to continue with the match. The team is also fined N3 million and will forfeit three points and three goals to Plateau United.
“For the breach, the LMC fined Plateau United N1 million and both clubs have 48 hours to submit to the ruling or elect representatives to appear before the commission if they are not satisfied with the decision.”