The Nigeria Football Federation Disciplinary Committee has fined Gombe United and Jigawa Golden Stars and suspended centre referee Terwase Chia for the remainder of the season following incidents during their Nigeria National League match in December.
The decision was reached at the Committee meeting held on 3 March 2026 after reviewing a protest lodged by Gombe United over the fixture played against Jigawa Golden Stars on 21 December 2025 at Pantami Stadium, Gombe.
According to the Committee’s findings, the centre referee initially awarded a goal kick in the 90+4 minute. However, Gombe United supporters encroached onto the field of play and the referee subsequently changed the decision to a penalty kick, which was ruled a breach of Rule 16(1) of the NNL regulations.
The Committee also stated that the referee submitted two conflicting and irreconcilable reports regarding the incident. It further noted that there was no evidence to support claims that the referee acted under duress.
The investigation found that players of Jigawa Golden Stars refused to continue the match in protest after the penalty decision was awarded.
As a result, Gombe United were fined N1,000,000 for fan encroachment, while Jigawa Golden Stars were fined N500,000 for refusing to continue with the match.
Centre referee Terwase Chia was suspended for the rest of the season for professional misconduct that brings the game into disrepute.
The Committee ruled that the match result would stand as a goalless draw.
It also noted that the decisions are without prejudice to the right of appeal.
The meeting was attended by Barrister Jude Obikwelu as Chairman, Barrister A.I. Abdulrahman as Vice Chairman, Barrister Bello Galadi and Barrister Wole Ademoyegun as members, with Queen W. Otarakpo serving as Secretary.
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