Kennedy Boboye, the head coach of Bendel Insurance, has been suspended for 17 matches and fined ₦2 million by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after misconduct during the team’s recent game against Plateau United.
The fixture, which ended in a 2-2 draw at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on March 28, saw serious organizational failures. Security measures were inadequate, allowing unauthorized individuals to enter areas meant to be off-limits.
After the match, tensions escalated as some supporters engaged in inappropriate behavior and reportedly detained the match officials for about 40 minutes. The NPFL described the episode as a serious breach of safety protocols and football regulations.
Boboye was found to have acted improperly toward a match official, violating league rules on fair play and professional conduct.
In response to these incidents, the club was fined ₦5 million and instructed to hold its next three home matches without fans in attendance.
The league emphasized that these decisions are part of its effort to maintain discipline, respect for officials, and overall professionalism within Nigerian football.
This ruling comes at a critical point in the season, forcing Bendel Insurance’s coaching team to navigate upcoming games without Boboye on the sidelines. Additionally, hosting matches without spectators will affect both the team’s home advantage and matchday revenue.
The club has the option to contest the sanctions through the NPFL’s formal appeals process.
