By STEPHEN BENJAMIN

The Nationwide League One (NLO) has invited Nwaeze Chidiebere, Chairman, Cynosure FC, Ebonyi, and Elvis Ewruje, Chairman, De Sapele Lions FC, Delta, to appear before its Disciplinary Committee over alleged involvement in establishing a parallel football structure.

A statement signed by the Chief Operating Officer of the NLO, Olushola Ogunnowo, also said that Hussain Mohammed, another football official was also summoned to appear before the committee.

The statement said the league secretariat received reports linking the trio with the establishment and promotion of a parallel group outside the congress approved and recognised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

According to the statement, the alleged action was viewed as an attempt to undermine the authority of the NFF, create confusion within the league, and breach existing statutes and regulations guiding football administration in the country.

“This action is viewed as a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the NFF, create confusion within the Nationwide League One, and breach the statutes, regulations, and directives of the Federation.

“Such conduct is capable of bringing the game of football into disrepute and disrupting the smooth administration of the league,” it said.

The statement added that the affected officials were invited to appear before the League Disciplinary Committee to show cause why disciplinary sanctions should not be imposed on them in line with the NFF Statutes, NLO Regulations and FIFA Disciplinary Code.

It stated that the invited officials were required to appear in person and could be accompanied by not more than two representatives or legal counsel.

The statement warned that failure to honour the invitation or provide satisfactory explanations could attract sanctions, including suspension, fines, or bans from football-related activities.

“Please note that failure to honour this invitation or provide a satisfactory explanation may result in the committee proceeding with appropriate sanctions, which may include but are not limited to suspension, fines, and/or a ban from all football-related activities,” it said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NLO is Nigeria’s largest grassroots football league and operates under the supervision of the NFF. (NAN)

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