18th March, 2011
Premier league newcomers, Bukola Babes, have threatened to pull out of the ongoing 2010/2011 league following their 0-1 loss to Sunshine Stars in Week 19 game last Sunday.
Team manager of Bukola Babes, Alloy Chukwuemeka, who threatened that the club might consider pulling out of the league if drastic action is not taken by the league body, described the game against Sunshine as ‘a big shame’ for the country’s elite tourney.
Chukwuemeka faulted the officiating of the centre referee, allegging that the referee made a meal of the game at the Gateway International Stadium in Ijebu-Ode.
“This is a big shame and a daylight robbery. This referee really killed our game,†he said. Bukola are also claiming that referee destroyed the flow of the game by awarding Sunshine two penalties and issuing red card to their striker, Abdulkadir Aminu.
Chukuwemeka accused Sunshine of employing frustrating tactics before the game by refusing players and officials of Bukola access to the Ijebu Ode stadium to train last Saturday.
“An ugly incident occurred on Saturday at the Gateway International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode as our players and officials were locked out of the stadium on the orders of Sunshine Stars’ management. Our team arrived at the stadium exactly 3.30pm but was left stranded for over two hours before leaving the venue frustrated.”
Chukwuemeka also claimed that in spite of attempts by NPL officials to ensure that Bukola train at the stadium, the gates were not opened.
