₦10m Fine: Kwara United GM Rejects Lagos FA Sanction, Questions Authority
Kwara United General Manager, Bashir Badawiy, has strongly criticised the Lagos State Football Association (FA) over a ₦10 million fine issued against him, describing the sanction as baseless and outside the FA’s authority.
The fine stems from an incident during last Saturday’s President Federation Cup final at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, where Badawiy was accused of breaching security by jubilating in front of five state governors seated in the VVIP section. In addition to the fine, the Lagos FA ordered him to submit a formal apology to both the state body and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) by July 15.
However, in a sharp response, Badawiy dismissed the action taken by the Lagos FA, insisting that only the NFF — organisers of the national tournament — have the jurisdiction to discipline officials in such a context.
“Ordinarily, this is not something I should even respond to, especially coming from Lagos FA, considering the fact that the competition is not a state event but a national one,” he told Sportsbash.
“I would have respected it if the NFF, who own and run the Federation Cup, had issued the fine. They were present at the final—the secretary-general and even the NFF president were there. If there was a breach of security, I believe they would have acted, not the Lagos FA.”
Badawiy also questioned the logic behind the punishment, stating that celebrating a football win should not be considered a punishable offence.
“I don’t know when it became a crime to celebrate a football victory. To now say that it attracts a ₦10 million fine is honestly baffling,” he added.
Despite the escalating row, the Nigeria Football Federation has remained silent. Efforts by SPORTSRATION to reach NFF president Ibrahim Gusau and general secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi for comments were unsuccessful, as both officials did not respond to calls or WhatsApp messages.
The dispute follows Kwara United’s dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout win over Abakaliki FC in the final, earning the club its first major trophy in history.
As the July 15 deadline approaches, all eyes are now on the NFF to clarify its position on the matter and determine whether the Lagos FA acted within its rights.
