2022/2023 NPFL: IMC summon Bayelsa United Coach Tebowei to disciplinary hearing

Deprieye Tebowei, the Technical Adviser of Bayelsa United FC has been summoned to a disciplinary hearing to provide evidence to support allegations of biased officiating made after their match against Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi.

A statement by the IMC spokesperson, Harry Iwuala on Wednesday, said his action was considered as misconduct by the managers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

Our correspondent reports that Tebowei made the allegation following their MatchDay 4 fixture against Lobi Stars at the New Jos Stadium on Sunday.

Tebowei was quoted in the media to have accused the match Referee of biased officiating in their 3-0 defeat in Makurdi.

It said consequently a hearing had been scheduled to take place on Feb. 7 by 1 p.m. at the league secretariat.

In the summons addressed to Bayelsa United, the IMC Legal and Compliance Unit, wrote, “It has come to our attention that Tebowei, has made reckless and unguarded comments that questions the sporting integrity of the NPFL.

“The comments which have been published on various media platforms were made after the Match Day 4 fixture: Lobi Stars FC vs. Bayelsa United FC.”

The club was reminded in the summons that the league had official channels through which complaints and grievances are to be communicated and addressed.

“Comments of this nature constitute misconduct under Rule C1 of the NPFL Framework and Rules, as it is capable of bringing the league to disrepute”,

Relying on Rule C9 of the NPFL Framework and Rules which requires “clubs to control their Players and Officials to ensure their proper conduct at all times,

The IMC said that Coach Tebowei and the Chairman of Bayelsa United were hereby invited to a panel of inquiry setup in accordance with Rule C15 of the NPFL Framework and Rules”.

It added that they were expected to come along with documents or other verifiable evidence to support the comments made after the match in reference.